MPR criticized for failing to realize expectations

MPR criticized for failing to realize expectations

JAKARTA (JP): A coalition of 22 non-governmental organizations
(Ornop and Aman) condemned on Tuesday the failure of the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) to support a direct presidential
election, and questioned the Assembly members' commitment to
democratization.

The coalition demanded a national referendum to gauge people's
aspirations about a direct presidential election.

They also asserted that the referendum would also question the
public's support of the Assembly's decision to allocate seats in
the Assembly to the Indonesian Military (TNI)/National Police
until 2009.

"People have the right to have a final say in deciding on
substantial issues that will determine their future," said Smita
Notosusanto, coordinator of the Center for Electoral Reform
(Cetro).

The coalition leaders, including prominent lawyer Todung Mulya
Lubis and Smita, were speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday to
make public their demands.

The coalition also includes the Foundation of the Indonesian
Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI), the Legal Aid and Human Rights
Association and Indonesia's World Wildlife Fund Foundation.

"We call on people to work together with us to achieve our
goal for a direct presidential election," Todung said.

An Assembly ad hoc committee in its deliberations did
contemplate the possibility of adopting a direct presidential
election, however, Assembly members ended up postponing a
discussion on the sensitive subject.

"The MPR members will never allow a direct presidential
election because the practice will severely erode their power,"
said Smita.

Smita said only the National Awakening Party, which was co-
founded by President Abdurrahman Wahid, has openly supported the
direct presidential election.

Smita also criticized the legislators because they were only
concentrating on strengthening their own positions while ignoring
the fate of the whole nation.

"Like the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan), which totally rejects our proposal without any
proper reason," Smita complained.

Separately, YLBHI also slammed the Assembly members for their
failure to put the better interests of the nation ahead of their
own political gain.

"Instead of overseeing and evaluating the ruling of power by
the government, MPR members are focusing their attention only on
increasing their power," said Munir, the foundation deputy
chairman.

Under the current system, voters elect members of the Assembly
who in turn elect a president and vice president.

Some factions have maintained that the country is not ready to
execute a direct presidential system.

TNI

All of the 11 factions in the Assembly commission meetings
have also endorsed the presence of the military/police presence
in the Assembly. The proposal now only needs the formal support
of the plenary session, which is expected on Friday.

"We deplore the trepidation of the Assembly members to reject
the presence of the TNI/Police faction in the Assembly," Smita
noted.

Meanwhile, Munir charged that the decision of Assembly
factions to support the continued presence of a TNI/Police
faction was in fact jeopardizing the reform movement.

He said the 700-member Assembly were carelessly mixing their
factions or personal interests to gain both political and
economic interest, ignoring the most strategic need to
conceptualize the fundamental aspects of people's state life.

"Obviously, the Assembly has been practicing opportunistic
politics while ignoring political ethics. The Assembly has pushed
the democracy movement several steps backwards," he added.
(bby/prb)