Moslem-based faction approves security decree

JAKARTA (JP): The United Development Party (PPP) faction, the lone holdout on a proposal to reestablish the right of extraordinary presidential powers, has finally relented in the face of intense lobbying from the dominant Golkar and its allies in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

Wiranto, the chair of an Assembly committee in charge of matters outside state policy guidelines, said Thursday the Moslem-based faction's approval came after lobbying among leaders of all the five factions began a fortnight ago.

The nod ended six days of debate over the Golkar-sponsored draft. It initiated the security decree in response to President Soeharto's warning of the prospect of unforeseen upheavals which could undermine national unity and development programs.

As of Thursday, the committee had agreed on eight out of 14 drafts of decree, with deliberation on the organization of general elections still in stalemate.

The committee will work until Jan. 21 next year.

PPP spokesman Zain Badjeber denied the faction caved in to the majority vote, arguing that compromises had been reached to accommodate his faction's demands.

"We finally agreed to establish a decree on presidential extra power, after learning that it does not serve as a reinstatement of a 1988 decree (on extraordinary presidential powers)," he said.

The draft now reads that the Assembly "grants" the power to the president to take anticipatory measures against a campaign to undermine national unity and development programs.

The original wording was "transfers". The draft also states that use of the authority must not violate human rights and be fully accountable.

PPP had previously insisted that the Assembly include the extra power in the state policy guidelines, a challenged to the concerted stance of Golkar, the Armed Forces, regional representatives and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) factions.

The security decree was introduced in 1966 and remained in effect in the next five general sessions of the Assembly. It was dropped five years ago.

Zain said the committee rejected a PPP-sponsored clause requiring that the president deliver an accountability speech at least seven days after exercising the extraordinary power, but had agreed that an address would be made before leaders of the House of Representatives "immediately after the use of the power".

"The draft does not require the president to address a plenary House session, in order to simplify procedures," Zain said, adding that the House leaders could decide to hold a plenary session if necessary.

The draft says the president must consult the House prior to using the power.

There was also divided opinion on the draft of 1993/2003 State Policy Guidelines, in particular on PPP and PDI demands that the controversial floating mass policy -- which they contend bars them from reaching grassroots voters -- be eliminated.

Golkar, Armed Forces and regional representatives factions rejected the demand.

The Armed Forces spokesman, Hari Sabarno, said that doing away with the policy at this time would cause national disintegration.

He argued that the floating mass policy did not restrict political activities of poll contestants at the grassroots level, as each of the parties was allowed to groom cadres in regional areas.

The heavy debating in Thursday's session extended the list of undecided subjects to eight. The committee resumes deliberations Monday. (amd)