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.