MPR factions divided on issue of federalism

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)