Presidential term of office

On page one of The Jakarta Post dated Aug. 22 I read with interest a report about a statement made by Minister of Transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo, under the title Limit presidential term after Soeharto.

If the title read "Limit presidential term," I would not have written this letter. But the addition "after Soeharto" compelled me to write.

I cannot understand why a constitution like the one we have should depend on a person or a group of people. The constitution is the highest form of law and regulation and should not be dependent on a person or on a group of people.

Undoubtedly, we all agree Soeharto is a great statesman and has brought tremendous changes to our country. When we look back to 1966 and see where we are now, we must honestly admit that Indonesia has become a power to be reckoned with, not only regionally but, in my opinion, also internationally. Because of what he has done for Indonesia, the people have reelected him again and again and that is not his fault.

The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has the right to choose anyone it thinks is fit to lead our country, so if Soeharto is elected again, it is in accordance with the constitution.

The constitution clearly stipulates that the president and vice president hold office for five years and after that they can be reelected. There is no mention of the president and vice president serving only two terms in office.

The MPR, which is all powerful, comprises representatives of political organizations and the functional group Golkar, as well as representatives from the armed forces and all regions. It is the MPR that is responsible for who is elected as president and vice president.

If we want to see the presidential term limited to two terms of office, we must revise the Constitution first and not give the privilege to a certain person or group of people.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta