MPR annual session to begin on Nov. 1

JAKARTA (JP): People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais revealed on Tuesday that the annual session of the Assembly would begin on Nov. 1, 2001, with its main agenda focusing on hearing the progress reports of top state institutions.

"Insya Allah (God willing) the MPR annual session will begin on November 1, 2001," Amien told reporters, after receiving members of the national-flag-raising-squad (Paskibraka) at the MPR/House of Representatives (DPR) building.

The annual session was originally scheduled for July, but was postponed as the Assembly held in the same month a Special Session, which led to the downfall of former president Abdurrahman Wahid. He was replaced by Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Amien said MPR leaders would hold a meeting with leaders of the 11 MPR factions on Aug. 27 to finalize preparations for the annual session, while on Aug. 29, the MPR Working Committee would begin to draft the agenda and the substantive matters of the annual session.

On the agenda for the annual session, Amien said it would concentrate on hearing the progress reports of five state institutions -- the DPR, the President, the Supreme Court, the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) and the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA).

Asked about the progress report from President Megawati Soekarnoputri, Amien said the President would not have many issues to report on as the new government would be only three months old and was unlikely to be in a position to have dealt with complex state matters.

Answering a question about deliberations on the amendment of the 1945 Constitution, Amien said that the annual session would also discuss the amendment even though its deadline was set for next year.

"The amendment will also be discussed although the deadline is still in 2002, during which we hope the amendment of the Constitution will be completed," Amien told Antara.

He welcomed a suggestion that the President and the Assembly form a constitutional commission to be in charge of the amendment of the 1945 Constitution, adding that it would be relatively easy to do.

The commission, which would consist of legal experts, is expected to help the Assembly complete the amendment of the Constitution on schedule, he said. (edt)