MPR approves nine decrees, TNI's presence included

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)