MPR approves nine decrees, TNI's presence included

JAKARTA (JP): Concluding its Annual Session on Friday, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) endorsed nine decrees, two of which certified the military's presence at the Assembly until 2009 and the new tasks for Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

The decrees, which take effect on Aug. 18, 2000, regulate the changes made to the Assembly's internal rulings, legal sources and the hierarchy of the national legal system, regional autonomy, national unity, separation of the National Police from the Indonesian Military (TNI) and state institutions' annual progress reports.

Assembly Speaker Amien Rais said the decrees were a reflection of the Assembly's positive response to the myriad of problems the nation was facing.

"The amendment to the Assembly's internal rulings is expected to improve our performance, while the separation of the National Police from TNI is aimed at leading the personnel of the two institutions back to their profession."

Commenting on the Assembly's issuance of the decree on recommendations for all state institutions, especially for the government, Amien said: "This first Annual Session was a good experience for us in learning democracy."

The following are the decrees unanimously endorsed by the MPR: * The decree on the first change to the Assembly's internal rulings, which regulates the Annual Session is held not only to listen to the progress reports submitted by the government and other state institutions, but to evaluate them. * The decree on the second change to the Assembly's internal rulings, which stipulates, among other things, sanctions against MPR members proven guilty of violating the code of ethics, formal requirements for legislators and the working committee's main tasks to prepare the agenda for General, Annual and special sessions.

According to the decree, the House could call for an MPR special session if a president was considered violating the Constitution, state policy guidelines or law.

The decree, however, prevents an Annual Session from recommending a special session to impeach a president. * The decree on regional autonomy recommends a full implementation of autonomy as of Jan. 1, 2001 and asks the government to issue regulations needed for the full implementation. It also recommends that the government issue two laws on special autonomy in Aceh and Irian Jaya. * The decree on national unity instructs the government to facilitate dialogs both at the national and regional levels to promote tolerance among different groups of people, and to seek a comprehensive solution to numerous problems developing in a number of regions in order to strengthen national unity.

The decree also recommends the establishment of a national truth and reconciliation committee to investigate past abuse of power and human rights violations.

The Assembly also assigned the working committee to formulate the country's vision of the future and a code of national ethics in politics, economy, law and government. * The decree on the separation of the National Police from TNI regulates that the police are in charge of security affairs while the military is responsible for the defense. * The decree concerning the roles of the two institutions states that the police and the military were subordinate to the President while the police chief and TNI commander could be appointed or dismissed by the President upon House approval.

The two institutions are obliged to support democracy and respect the law and human rights, while servicemen are obliged to comply with the Criminal Code. Both are also obliged to stay out of politics and remain neutral.

The decree maintains the military/police's presence at the Assembly until 2009, on the grounds that servicemen do not vote in the general election.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and the Golkar Party, which between them hold more than half the 700 seats at the MPR, have defended their support for the decision as a compromise among factions at the Assembly.

This decision sparked protests from many sides during the Annual Session.

Lt. Gen. Hari Sabarno, MPR deputy chairman, said the military was in principle ready to quit the Assembly.

The military and police will end its presence at the House, provincial and regency legislatures in 2004. * The decree on state institutions' progress reports instructs the President to reform political, legal, economic and social fields to defuse the crisis and establish political stability. Other state institutions are also asked to improve their performance to uphold democracy.

The decree also orders the President to issue a detailed decree on the Vice President's new tasks in running the government. This follows the President's promise to empower the Vice President after many factions criticized the President's lack of management skills. * The decree assigns the working committee to prepare a draft amendment of the Constitution's material, which will not be deliberated on until the Annual Session is over.

The remaining material deals with the Assembly's tasks, executive power, Supreme Advisory Council, provincial and regency legislative councils, the general election, finance and budget, Supreme Audit Agency, justice and law enforcement and religions. (rms)