PDI-P to push for constitutional commission
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction is determined to single-handedly push for the establishment of a constitutional commission despite opposition from other factions.
"The commission will assist the Assembly's Ad hoc Committee I on constitutional amendment, it has a heavy task. The commission might give a hand, but the final say will remain with the Assembly," PDI-P Perjuangan deputy chairman Roy B. Janis said about the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) internal struggle.
Controversy over the establishment of the commission -- proposed by President Megawati during her state of the nation address last month -- was sparked by its rejection by all ten of the remaining MPR factions.
Speaking at a media conference on Tuesday, following the party's weekly meeting led by Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, Roy pleaded with other factions to follow up on the President's proposal.
A member of PDI Perjuangan, Sophan Sophiaan, said the idea to amend the 1945 Constitution was aimed at accommodating the aspirations of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and academics.
However, at an Ad Hoc Committee I (PAH I) meeting on Tuesday, other factions rejected the plan and urged the PDI Perjuangan faction to propose it at the MPR's annual session in October.
Most factions decided that the proposed commission was similar to the current team of experts that support Ad Hoc Committee I, so there was no need for it.
"There are no significant differences between the constitutional commission suggested by PDI Perjuangan and the existing team of experts," said Andi Mattalatta of Golkar faction.
PDI Perjuangan Deputy Secretary General Pramono Anung said the proposed commission would go through a similar process to that of the General Elections Commission (KPU).
"It will be proposed by the government, approved by the House and passed by the Assembly. We will not bypass the process. We have urged other factions to reconsider their stance," Pramono said.
He said the commission would be an upgraded version of the current team of experts, but with legitimate authority.
Asnawi Latif of Daulat Ummat Party (PDU) faction said that PAH I had cooperated with the team of experts to amend the Constitution in the last four months.
"At least 30 experts have shared their opinions with us," Asnawi told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the meeting.
He added that the sharing of ideas between the experts and the lawmakers is scheduled to finish in early October.
"I think these talks on the new commission will waste our time," he said.
The PDI Perjuangan meeting also decided to limit constitutional amendment to urgent articles and postpone unnecessary political issues until 2004.
"For example, we consider that Article 29 of the 1945 Constitution should not be discussed," Roy said. The article is on religion. (08/dja/hbk)
Outlines of proposal from PDI Perjuangan
1. Status and Authority - The constitutional commission shall be set up by the working body of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). - The working body of the MPR shall prepare the draft amendment, the constitutional commission shall include it in chapters, articles and verses without substantial changes. - The results of the commission's work shall be submitted to the MPR for consideration. - The constitutional commission shall upgrade the first and second amendment so that there shall be a new 1945 Constitution. - The explanatory passage of the 1945 Constitution shall no longer exist. - The decision of the amendment shall remain in the hands of the MPR.
2. Formation and Membership - The commission shall be set up by the MPR working body and candidate members shall be nominated by the President at the 2001 annual meeting of the MPR. - The members shall possess expertise and come from all provinces.
3. Tenure - The tenure of the commission shall be from November 2001 to August 2002. Next year's annual meeting of MPR shall be held in November 2002.
4. Deadline of the Amendment - The new 1945 Constitution shall be finished by the annual meeting of the MPR in November 2002. The deadline is designed to facilitate the enactment of all related laws, such as the political law that will be the legal basis for the 2004 election. (08)