Managing the state

Managing the state

From Gatra

I would like to comment on the interview with Kwik Kian Gie and Mubyarto published in Gatra (May 17). I think members of the House of Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly should understand the major thoughts contained in the interview. We are concerned about the question of whether or not the instruments deployed for managing our state are adequate. In this case, I would like to share my ideas with legislators.

The polemics on capitalism between Kwik Kian Gie and Mubyarto as reported in the media is indeed very interesting. It examined article 33 of the 1945 Constitution, which stipulates that the land, water and air are "controlled by the state". Some people have a different interpretation of the phrase "controlled by the state". We can conclude that there are still many issues that have to be solved by the assembly. Our fundamental task is to spell out all articles of the constitution to avoid controversial interpretations.

One other crucial thing, in my opinion, is the fact that the high state institutions and the supreme institutions are not clearly defined. A duplication of function is still prevalent. Another fact is that control over the government's performance seems to be ineffective.

My suggestion is to make the assembly function according to the original ideal, i.e. as a place to hold dialog among the major national forces -- political groups, provincial representatives and professionals.

Members of the political groups should be elected and not appointed by the government. The legislators' main job is to make laws to be used as guidelines for executives in carrying out their task. It is time Golkar was sincere in calling itself a political group.

Provincial representatives include the elected councils from throughout the country. Their numbers must be balanced with those of the House of Representatives. This will ensure that a region with a small population has a small number of representatives. The regional council has the task of making regulations to be used as guidelines for the local administration. This is currently not the situation. The provincial representatives consist of dignitaries plus individuals appointed by the government.

Professionals include farmers, fishermen, teachers, civil servants, the Armed Forces, etc. Their number is also balanced with that of other groups. The assembly must not only meet once every five years, with the single purpose of electing its mandatory as has always been the practice. Instead, the body should meet more often and focus its attention on the control of the executives' performances. If necessary, a working body could be set up.

This system will hopefully accommodate people's aspirations, democracy will flourish, and the government will be restricted from intervening in the job beyond its frame of responsibility. The Armed Forces should also stand above all groups, instead of giving their support to a certain political party.

SIDARTA

Jakarta