Political and legal reforms

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