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)