Legislators pessimistic on constitutional amendments
Legislators pessimistic on constitutional amendments
JAKARTA (JP): With the clock ticking fast, hopes that
Commission A at the People's Consultative Assembly will complete
proposals for constitutional amendments are fading.
Prolonged debate and seemingly inexorable differing views by
party factions on Sunday were snagging efforts to swiftly
complete the amendments, despite the fact that the commission
only has one day left to complete its work.
It is required to hand in its report to the Assembly plenary
session on Tuesday.
By the end of the day pessimism had began to creep in. Many
members realized that they would not meet the deadline unless a
hasty consensus could be achieved.
Assembly members conceded that whatever progress had been made
was only on "insignificant" changes to the constitution.
Many commission members, mostly from the Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and the Indonesian Military
(TNI)/Police factions, raised objections, particularly regarding
the planned establishment of a house of regional representatives
(DPD) and the inclusion of a chapter on human rights.
Their objections seemed to frustrate many of their colleagues
because these issues had initially been agreed upon on in the
adhoc committee stage.
"I am very upset. It seems they have become very conservative
and view the Constitution as a holy book that cannot be changed,"
commission deputy chairman Slamet Effendy Yusuf said.
Slamet, from the Golkar Party, suspected that some factions
were intentionally prolonging the debate in an attempt to
obstruct any amendments to the 1945 Constitution.
But he argued that amendments were needed since the abuses of
power under former regimes were viewed by the public as a result
of an imperfect Constitution.
"Now Old and New Order people are trying to return to the old
Constitution," Slamet who was deputy chairman of the ad hoc
committee, charged.
Legislator Patrialis Akbar lamented the fact that the results
of the ad hoc committee had not been "socialized" to their
factions.
"As many legislators are still questioned them, I'm
pessimistic we can finish the amendments (in time)," Patrialis,
from the National Mandate Party (PAN), said.
During the debate on Commission A, PDI Perjuangan and
TNI/Police factions, rejected on Sunday the planned establishment
of a house of regional representatives (DPD).
"We should think it over further since it would change the
Assembly," PDI Perjuangan senior member Abdul Madjid said, adding
that its establishment could encourage regionalism.
Legislator Ishak Latuconsina from TNI/Police Faction also
rejected the establishment of such an institution, saying it
would cost a lot of money.
Slamet rejected these arguments, saying fears of regionalism
were unfounded as the constitution itself strongly upheld the
unitary state.
"The DPD would be able to listen more to regional aspirations
and would avoid separatism," he argued.
The ad hoc committee earlier agreed that the MPR would consist
of the House of Representatives (DPR), the DPD and the TNI/Police
faction.
On the planned human rights chapter, questions generally
centered around details of the various articles.
"It is too detailed and overlaps with existing regulations,"
Romson Panjaitan from PDI Perjuangan said elaborating his
faction's grievances.
Romson urged that the draft omit the proposed articles on the
right to live in a legal marriage and the right to seek asylum,
saying they were already regulated.
However, Commission A chairman Jacob Tobing remained
confident an amendment could be drafted.
"Be patient. I'm still optimistic about it," Jacob from PDI
Perjuangan said after the meeting.
He said that some "sensitive issues" could be postponed,
suggesting that the amendment could be discussed by a
Constitutional commission.(jun)