PDI-P to pursue Mega's proposal for commission

PDI-P to pursue Mega's proposal for commission

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan) has thrown its weight behind President Megawati
Soekarnoputri's proposal for the establishment of a special
commission to make comprehensive amendments to the 1945
Constitution.

PDI Perjuangan secretary-general Sutjipto said here on Friday
that his party would follow up on the suggestion so that it could
be discussed at the annual session of the People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR), scheduled to begin on Nov. 1.

With two months remaining before the session, Sutjipto said
that his party, through its faction in the Assembly, would not
act prematurely in responding to the President's proposal, to
avoid any unwanted consequences in the future.

The issue has become prominent since Megawati stressed the
importance of establishing an institution in charge of amending
the Constitution during her state-of-the-nation address on Aug.
16.

"The proposal, however, is not specifically directed to PDI
Perjuangan but to the Assembly, which holds the exclusive
authority to amend the Constitution. All factions are welcomed to
give their input to the proposal," he said.

He said the PDI Perjuangan faction would certainly take the
President's proposal to the Assembly's Working Committee as soon
it had developed a clear concept for the proposed constitutional
commission.

Sutjipto said that careful consideration to the issue by his
faction was intended to avoid duplication of other ongoing
amendments conducted by the Assembly's Working Committee, as
authorized by the MPR Decree No. 9/2000, because the proposal was
related to crucial and sensitive issues in the Constitution
causing division among factions.

Amendments proposed by the Assembly's Ad Hoc Subcommittee have
not progressed as well as expected because of debates among
factions over several crucial issues, including state ideology,
an appropriate electoral system and presidential elections.

The PDI Perjuangan faction, for example, wants to maintain a
proportional electoral system for the 2004 general election and
an indirect presidential election, while other factions, mainly
the Golkar Party, wants a district representative electoral
system with a direct presidential election.

PDI Perjuangan legislator Suparlan denied accusations that
Megawati raised the constitutional commission idea as a political
ploy to avoid amending the Constitution on the grounds that the
MPR is not ready to make comprehensive amendments.

"PDI Perjuangan supports comprehensive amendment of the
Constitution in order to make it workable for a long period of
time, but it won't do it hastily. We won't force the MPR to
complete the amendments by next year," he said.

A PDI Perjuangan faction source told The Jakarta Post that no
party figures had the courage to take any initiative before
Megawati instructed them to act.

"It's true the proposal came from the President, but Megawati
in her capacity as the party chairwoman has not instructed the
party's executive board and its faction to follow up on her
proposal," said the source, who requested anonymity.

Agun Gunandjar, a Golkar faction legislator, said that his
party would appreciate the President taking the initiative to
form an independent commission outside the Assembly.

"The independent commission should hand over its work to the
Assembly for discussion in the 2002 annual session. The Assembly
must decide to accept the commission's work if it is acceptable
and in line with the political aspirations of the majority of the
people," he said.

National Awakening Party (PKB) faction chairman Ali Masjkur
Musa said that he appreciated Megawati's proposal, but urged the
President to provide a detailed explanation of the proposal to
avoid confusion among factions and the people.

"Our faction has not decided whether to support the proposal
or not because we don't know details of the President's
proposal," he said. (rms)