New DPA members to be sworn in today
New DPA members to be sworn in today
JAKARTA (JP): Former minister of home affairs Yogie S.M.,
former coordinating minister for people's welfare Azwar Anas and
the government sanctioned chairman of the Indonesian Democratic
Party Soerjadi are to be among the 45 people sworn in today as
members of the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA).
They are due to take their oath this morning in a ceremony at
the State Palace and will then begin five-year terms as supreme
advisors to the president.
"The new council members are expected to provide inputs to the
process of political, economic and judicial reform which the
government is implementing," Minister/State Secretary Akbar
Tandjung said yesterday.
According to the 1945 Constitution, the council has equal
status to the president. The council is supposed to advise the
president, either on its own initiative or when requested.
However, in recent years the council has often been criticized
as being the final retreat for retired generals, ministers and
politicians whose advice to the president is almost never heard
in public.
Prior to ending his five year term in March, the previous
chairman Sudomo claimed that former president Soeharto always
listened to the council's suggestions, although he never allowed
them to speak to public.
"We are not just a rubber stamp for the president," Sudomo
once said defensively.
The composition of the new council due to be sworn in today is
certain to raise a few eyebrows.
The inclusion of Soerjadi is expected to draw much criticism.
Soerjadi ousted Megawati Soekarnoputri from the PDI leadership
during a controversial government backed congress in 1996.
The final selection of council members remains the prerogative
of the president, who can choose from a list of 90 names prepared
by the House of Representatives.
The council must include representatives from Golkar, the PDI,
the United Development (PPP), the Armed Forces and leading
societal groups.
The list of names proposed for the current council was
submitted by the House in April.
Other members due to be sworn in today include National
Commission on Human Rights member A.A. Baramuli, Chairman of the
Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) Hasan Basri, Chairman of the
Indonesian Union of Churches (PGI) Sularso Sopater, former East
Timor governor Mario Viegas Carrascalao, and PPPs Jusuf Syakir.
Two Chinese-Indonesians will also be included -- businesswoman
Siti Hartati Murdaya and leading community figure Yunus Yahya.
Next week the 45 members are expected to elect a new chairman
and vice chairmen.
"The president and his cabinet are ready to have a more
interactive relationship with the Council," Akbar said. (prb)