Political scientists offer draft for dynamic reform
Political scientists offer draft for dynamic reform
JAKARTA (JP): A group of political scientists warned yesterday
the reform process should not be restricted to a changing of the
political guard, but also effect a dynamic political system
capable of "self-reform".
In a hearing with the Armed Forces faction of the House of
Representatives here, political scientists grouped in the
Institute for Policy and Community Development Studies (IPCOS)
presented a 46-page paper, The National Politics Reform: A Vision
Forward and System Building, proposing concrete measures.
"Political reform must not be perceived as only the
replacement of personnel within political systems, but must be
understood as a process toward the changing of spirit, way of
thinking, attitude and the structure and system of the state's
administration," they said in the paper.
They argued that the country would be doomed to repeat its
political mistakes unless the measures were taken.
"All of us don't want to experience the same situation that we
are in now in the next coming 30 years, do we?" Johan O.
Menajang, the institute's director, said.
Menajang -- with his five colleagues Rachmad Bahari, Benjuino
TM, Rachmat Prakoso, Johannes Fernandes and Benny Subianto -- met
with the faction's deputy chairman Maj. Gen. Mansyur and five
other members.
The paper was divided into three sections on the major
directions and parameters of political reform, the substance and
agenda of reform and its management.
The institute said political reform should aim at restoring
the people's sovereignty and supremacy of law.
It recommended a 12-point substance and reform agenda which
included comprehensive suggestions on how to empower the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the House of Representatives
(DPR).
These included allowing individual legislators to make their
own decisions without being dependent on their factions and
revoking a faction's right to recall their legislators, thus
allowing lawmakers to be more outspoken.
IPCOS advocated improvements in the electoral system, the
electoral administration, the party system, the structure and
position of the provincial legislature and of the DPR and MPR.
"The provincial legislature position and structure put under
the provincial administration must be reformed and be given
parity to allow it to control the administration effectively,"
Menajang said.
IPCOS also said freedom of expression and participation in the
political process should be encouraged.
It suggested that Law No. 11/1963 on subversion be abolished,
and replaced with a new law on national security with a clear
definition on what constitutes "endangering the state".
It also called for an antidiscrimination law in which every
citizen would be guaranteed individual rights by the state
regardless of ethnicity, religion or gender.
The political scientists also noted that political reform must
occur concurrently with improvements in other areas, including
economic, legal, sociocultural and moral-intellectual awareness.
Maj. Gen. Mansyur praised the proposal as comprehensive and
concrete. He requested the institute also devise reform agendas
on the other areas for the faction. (aan)
JAKARTA (JP): A group of political scientists warned yesterday
the reform process should not be restricted to a changing of the
political guard, but also effect a dynamic political system
capable of "self-reform".
In a hearing with the Armed Forces faction of the House of
Representatives here, political scientists grouped in the
Institute for Policy and Community Development Studies (IPCOS)
presented a 46-page paper, The National Politics Reform: A Vision
Forward and System Building, proposing concrete measures.
"Political reform must not be perceived as only the
replacement of personnel within political systems, but must be
understood as a process toward the changing of spirit, way of
thinking, attitude and the structure and system of the state's
administration," they said in the paper.
They argued that the country would be doomed to repeat its
political mistakes unless the measures were taken.
"All of us don't want to experience the same situation that we
are in now in the next coming 30 years, do we?" Johan O.
Menajang, the institute's director, said.
Menajang -- with his five colleagues Rachmad Bahari, Benjuino
TM, Rachmat Prakoso, Johannes Fernandes and Benny Subianto -- met
with the faction's deputy chairman Maj. Gen. Mansyur and five
other members.
The paper was divided into three sections on the major
directions and parameters of political reform, the substance and
agenda of reform and its management.
The institute said political reform should aim at restoring
the people's sovereignty and supremacy of law.
It recommended a 12-point substance and reform agenda which
included comprehensive suggestions on how to empower the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the House of Representatives
(DPR).
These included allowing individual legislators to make their
own decisions without being dependent on their factions and
revoking a faction's right to recall their legislators, thus
allowing lawmakers to be more outspoken.
IPCOS advocated improvements in the electoral system, the
electoral administration, the party system, the structure and
position of the provincial legislature and of the DPR and MPR.
"The provincial legislature position and structure put under
the provincial administration must be reformed and be given
parity to allow it to control the administration effectively,"
Menajang said.
IPCOS also said freedom of expression and participation in the
political process should be encouraged.
It suggested that Law No. 11/1963 on subversion be abolished,
and replaced with a new law on national security with a clear
definition on what constitutes "endangering the state".
It also called for an antidiscrimination law in which every
citizen would be guaranteed individual rights by the state
regardless of ethnicity, religion or gender.
The political scientists also noted that political reform must
occur concurrently with improvements in other areas, including
economic, legal, sociocultural and moral-intellectual awareness.
Maj. Gen. Mansyur praised the proposal as comprehensive and
concrete. He requested the institute also devise reform agendas
on the other areas for the faction. (aan)