Members doubt Constitutional Commission works

Members doubt Constitutional Commission works

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A number of Constitutional Commission members expressed doubt on
Tuesday that the new body would be able to assess and synchronize
conflicting articles of the amended Constitution.

They said their skepticism was caused by the fact the
commission had no clear method for assessing the articles.

"It has been almost one month since the commission was
established and we have produced nothing but a schedule," said
commission member M. Fadjrul Falaakh during an internal meeting
attended by 18 of the 31 commission members.

Fajrul said the commission members were part of the problem
because they still had not defined the details of their work.

Fellow commission member Isnaeni Ramdhan agreed with Fadjrul,
saying the commission should establish guidelines for assessing
the articles.

Since its establishment on Oct. 7, the commission has only
completed a work schedule. It has not yet determined how it will
treat the conflicting articles in the amended Constitution.

Constitutional law expert Maria Farida Indrati proposed at
least two articles on the Regional Representatives Council (DPD)
and the president's legislative rights for revision.

She said the article that stipulates a province will elect
four DPD members was questionable, because the size and the
population of each province differs.

Another article that allows a bill to come into effect within
30 days after being approved by the House of Representatives
without being signed by the president also raises constitutional
problems, she said.

The commission members also debated whether they would hear
from the public before considering the constitutional articles.
The commission eventually agreed to hear from the public starting
from Nov. 5.

The first group to be invited will be the Forum of Academic
Review of the Constitution, chaired by Amin Aryoso of the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

The forum is known for its persistent opposition to the
constitutional amendments.

Veteran politicians who are members of the forum include Abdul
Madjid, Bambang Pranoto, Syahrul A. Matondang, Sadjarwo
Sukadiman, Haryanto Taslam and ASS Tambunan.

Economist Sri-Edi Swasono and Hartati Murdaya from the
Interest Group faction also will present their views on the
amendments.