Interest groups likely to retain seats in MPR

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Following intensive lobbying among major factions at the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the 65-member interest group faction, that represents various groups in society not represented by any political party, will possibly continue to maintain existence at the Assembly.

The possibility surfaced on Monday when the Assembly's ad hoc committee preparing the amendments to the Constitution agreed to note the faction's existence as a second alternative to the Assembly's proposed composition in the amendment's fourth package.

A draft made on June 28 stipulates that members of the interest group will be elected by the House and the ruling on the election will be regulated further in a law.

Secretary of the Assembly's ad hoc committee, Ali Masykur Musa acknowledged that the idea to maintain the interest group representatives came from major factions, including Golkar and the Indonesian Military/National Police faction, following intensive lobbying among factions over the last three months.

The amendment's fourth package is scheduled to be endorsed in the Assembly's Annual Session scheduled for Aug. 1 through Aug. 12.

Ali, however, insisted that so far, the ad hoc committee had yet to decide whether to accept the proposed presence of the interest groups in the Assembly.

Most factions in the Assembly were of the opinion that the faction should be dissolved because special interest groups could channel their political aspirations through political parties.

Ali pointed out that the additional clause that members of the interest group faction would be elected by the DPR represented a significant development during the deliberation on the substance of the fourth package of amendments.

Agun Gunandjar Sudarsa, a committee member of the Golkar Party said that the issue of the interest group had not been resolved. He suggested that there must be specific criteria for organizations that could be included in the interest group.

"It is very likely that the MPR will consist of members of DPR and DPD (without the interest group)," Agun added.

The plan to remove the interest group from the Assembly is aimed at cleansing the highest law-making body from appointed members. Without joining the general elections, the interest group, representing various societal groups are given 65 non- elected seats at the Assembly.

In the past, the interest group representatives were appointed by governors, senior government officials and organizations that supported the status quo.

However, constitutional law expert Jimly Asshidiqqie suggested that the presence of the interest group faction in the Assembly should be maintained.

He said the interest group's presence would ensure that all societal groups which were not linked to political parties were represented in the Assembly.