MPR questions advisory council's relevance

MPR questions advisory council's relevance

JAKARTA (JP): A People's Consultative Assembly working
committee on constitutional amendments questioned the relevance
of the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) because of its poor image
in the past.

In a meeting with council members, committee member Valina
Singha said DPA, a state institution which offers advice to the
President, had been the subject of much public scrutiny.

"DPA's image has been badly tarnished because it has been used
as a tool to support the government's policies and decisions.
Aspirations developing among people and the administration are
that the DPA should be dissolved," he said.

The working committee, which is deliberating draft changes to
the 1945 Constitution, is expected to make its final
recommendation by August.

Several members of the committee also questioned DPA's current
lineup because in accordance with the law they should have been
replaced in November when former president B.J. Habibie was
replaced by President Abdurrahman Wahid.

Patrialis Akbar, a committee member from the National Mandate
Party (PAN), said DPA's present members, who were sworn in in
June 1998 with Habibie's presidential decree, were no longer
legitimate because they were under Habibie's administration.

"Besides, they are not the best individuals to represent
groups in society," he said.

DPA chairman Achmad Tirtosudiro calmly responded to the strong
criticisms saying that he would carefully consider them to
improve the council's performance.

However, he said the work of the council depends on how the
President deals and seeks advice from the council members.

"President Abdurrahman Wahid has yet to make contact with the
council, while on the other hand, former president Habibie often
asked our advice and insight during his time," he said.

DPA deputy chairman Yusuf Syakir conceded that the council
could not do more than its stipulated task of giving advice to
the President.

"According to law, DPA members can't do much other than its
main task of giving advice to the President without any certainty
that the President will listen to it," he said.

He said whether or not the council is needed depends entirely
on the Assembly.

"DPA's existence depends on the Assembly. We would have no
objection if the council is dissolved or its current members are
replaced. If the council continues, the Assembly could empower
the council by asking the House to revise the law," he said.
(rms)