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)