Ministers in MPR

In this current age of reform, politicians are judged by their sensitivity toward efforts to introduce a greater degree of democracy in the country.

In relation to this, there have recently been calls for a more democratic system within the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the country's highest constitutional body. At issue are the working practices of the ruling Golkar group -- a group long notorious for its stubborn reluctance to acquiesce to any calls for greater democratic freedom. Golkar has been challenged to withdraw the five serving cabinet ministers in its ranks who sit on the assembly's Working Committee. The committee is in charge of preparing the agenda for MPR sessions, and through this responsibility can exercise control over all major decisions taken regarding the future of this country.

The inclusion of the ministers on the committee is nothing short of interference with the legislative body on the part of the executive branch of government. By any standards, this turns all democratic values upside down.

This state of affairs has long existed against the backdrop of Soeharto's authoritarian regime. During his rule, the despot handpicked the majority of Assembly members. In return, their sole responsibility was to convene in assembly once every five years to rubber stamp his rule and endorse the government- sponsored State Policy Guidelines.

Lovers of drama must surely have seen a touch of comic irony in the events which unfolded in May, when Soeharto's loyal band of professional politicians pushed him aside after having reelected him a mere two months earlier. They called their show a democracy, but anyway, what is there in a name?

Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung, who is also Minister/State Secretary, has said that ministers are still needed on the MPR Working Committee because many of them are members of Golkar's executive board.

We are sorry that through this demonstration of political egotism he has shown himself willing to sacrifice the nation's system of governance for the sake of the interests of a single group. But to be thankful for small mercies, at least Minister of Food A.M. Saefuddin and Minister of Investment Hamzah Haz see that the Golkar way of thinking will not be of benefit to the nation. Saefuddin was quoted by Merdeka as saying that the presence of ministers on the MPR Working Committee was anathema to the aspirations of the people, who are united in their desire for political reform.

Saefuddin said that it is impossible for a minister who is also a member of the MPR to censure the head of state, who is, of course, the person who appointed he or she to the Cabinet.

Saefuddin's logic is understandable. If Golkar or any other faction retain ministers in the MPR, which is set to convene an extraordinary session in November, it will be very difficult to call the legislative body a democratic institution.

Unfortunately the two ministers, both of whom commendably resigned from the MPR, are members of the minority United Development Party (PPP). The disarray which broke out in the PPP's ranks following the party's poor performance in the MPR's March session makes it difficult for Golkar to follow its example on grounds of honor alone.

But in any case, we would still like to remind the ruling group that although there is no rule against a cabinet minister serving in the MPR, every man on the street knows full well that the division of power among the branches of government is an essential characteristic of every democracy. As is a representation in the MPR that has been elected in its entirety by the people of this country.