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)