MPR factions divided on issue of federalism
JAKARTA (JP): The debate over a federal state continues among factions in the People's Consultative Assembly as two strong proponents of the idea, the Crescent Star Party (PBB) and the Reform faction, insist that it should be decided by the public.
Hamdan Zulvan, representing the PBB faction, and Patrialis Akbar, representing the Reform faction, said on Friday in the meeting of the Assembly's Ad Hoc Committee amending the 1945 Constitution that the Assembly should throw the idea of a federal state to the public for further discussion.
"Federalism should be revived in an attempt to implement a united states of Indonesia that will ensure justice for all people," Patrialis said.
He said his faction was not intent on provoking provinces to separate from Indonesia.
Other factions at the Ad Hoc committee, including the Golkar Party of Reform, the United Development Party (PPP), the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Indonesian Military (TNI) insisted nothing must undermine the unitary state as stipulated by the constitution.
I Made Palguna representing the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction also said his faction supported the maintenance of the unitary state.
"The current situation is not conducive to deliberate federalism and it is not suitable for Indonesia. All systems have their own weaknesses and strengths. Let us correct the faults made by past governments," he said at the meeting.
After the meeting Patrialis contended that it was impossible for the nation to maintain unity without a fair division of power and income between local and central governments.
Riau and East Kalimantan have demanded a federal state while Aceh and Irian Jaya have demanded an independent one as a result of unfair distribution of power and wealth to the provinces in the past, he said.
Federalism was first publicly introduced by the National Mandate Party's chairman Amien Rais in reaction to the unfair treatment of resources-rich regions in the past. However, the idea has continuously met with opposition from the military and major political parties.
Last week, the PBB faction at the Ad Hoc Committee deliberating draft decrees urged the Assembly to issue a decree on a referendum to let the people decide whether the nation adopts a federal state or maintains the unitary state system.
Resign
Another major point of discussion by the committee was what to do if a president abruptly resigns, dies or cannot continue serving at his post.
Most factions seem to be leaning towards the current mechanism in which the president is replaced by the vice president.
But the PBB and Reform Factions have insisted on amendments, and proposed two alternatives whereby either a presidential or general election be held.
The proposed amendments are apparently related to very open discussions about President Abdurrahman Wahid's health, and a political rejection of Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri's leadership.
Patrialis did not mince words, asserting that Megawati should not replace Abdurrahman in the event the President steps down from office.
He said that it was questionable whether Megawati was up to the task.
"According to our faction, the Assembly should elect a new president if the (serving) president quits his jobs or dies, or, at the very most, the president should be replaced by the vice president until a general election is held to elect a new president." he said. (rms)