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)