Political and legal reforms

Demands for economic reform by students and the people have partly been fulfilled by the signing of an additional agreement between the Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

It expands on the Jan. 15 accord signed by President Soeharto and has a tight schedule which will be supervised by the IMF, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. It remains for us to also monitor its smooth and rapid implementation.

However, economic reforms alone are not adequate. Political and legal reforms are equally important. Political reforms promoting openness and democracy as well as better respect for human rights are very much needed. I will try to go into detail about the demands of the political reformers.

1. A reshuffle of the cabinet, especially the ministers in the economic, financial and industrial fields.

2. A review of the five political laws, including those on the general election, political and mass organizations, the composition of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the rules and regulations in the House and the Armed Forces' dual function.

They also demand the eradication of all political engineering which aims to concentrate power in the hands of one group only.

3. A review of the recruitment of the MPR members, especially the regional representatives and political groups. They must really represent the people. Do away with nepotism in the appointment of DPR and MPR members. The House factions must dare to voice the people's wishes and supervise the government.

4. Serious implementation of human rights in all fields. Citizens' legal rights must be respected and guaranteed. The state apparatus must not be repressive, especially against the people's political activities. Give students and people a chance to students their aspirations via demonstrations.

5. Legal reforms and the eradication of corruption, collusion and nepotism. Review Law No.3/1971 on the eradication of corruption. If necessary establish an anticorruption body that supervises the government apparatus. Review all legal products. Replace the subversion law created by the Old Order with a new law respecting human rights.

SUHARSONO HADIKUSUMO

Jakarta