Observer doubts MPR strength

Observer doubts MPR strength

JAKARTA (JP): Any demand for political reform will likely not
come from the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), which will be
installed on Oct. 1, a political observer said yesterday.

J. Kristiadi of the Centre for Strategic and International
Studies said he doubted the independence of MPR members given the
way most of them were recruited.

They could hardly be called representatives of the people, he
said.

President Soeharto endorsed last week the names of 1,000
members of MPR.

Only 425 of them were directly elected through the general
election in May, which was won by Golkar. The remaining 525 were
selected by virtue of their positions, such as politicians,
military officers, civil servants, regional leaders and public
figures from all walks of life and professions.

With some prominent public figures excluded, such as Amien
Rais and Abdurrahman Wahid -- who are known for their criticisms
of the government -- many analysts questioned the effectiveness
of the new MPR in fostering meaningful political change.

MPR members will be sworn in on Oct. 1. They will gather in
March to elect the country's president and vice president and
endorse the State Policy Guidelines for the next five years.

Kristiadi said that with MPR's ability in doubt, the
initiative for political change would probably come from non-
governmental organizations.

He said given their solid network, NGOs could become the
alternative through which people voice their aspirations.

However, he said NGOs should have a clearer vision and
objective if they were to play a more effective role.

Didin S. Damanhuri of the Center for Information and
Development Studies said he hoped some individual
MPR members would speak out at their March meeting.

"I believe they will highlight problems like political
accountability, MPR and DPR empowerment and many others," he
said.

He said NGOs could play a greater role in educating people
politically. But, he warned, NGOs should not use the opportunity
to provoke the people against the government. (10)