Siswono and MPR

Siswono and MPR

From Merdeka

Not all cabinet ministers are like Minister of Transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo who had the pluck to speak of the limitation of a president's term in office in the post-Soeharto era. The Armed Forces commander immediately reacted: "It is still within the norms of courtesy, because the minister spoke of the post- Soeharto era."

Imagine if the statement is made when Indonesia's third president takes office. The commander may consider it a lack of courtesy and the person making the statement may be in for a hard time.

It is now the right time for the next People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to issue a decree on a presidential term limit. If it is not done now, we will have to wait at least 35 years for a similar opportunity, i.e. in 2033. This is assuming that President Soeharto will reign for another five years and the next president will be in power until the limit of his physical strength, i.e. in 30 years' time.

Realistically speaking we are all aware that at the time when the 1945 Constitution was drafted, nobody imagined a globalization era, including the unrelenting war of the free- trade market. During inevitable globalization our nation has to become fully mature. Immaturity may be tantamount to eternal economic colonization, because our opponents in the free-trade war will not be limited to Singapore and Malaysia, but will include giant economic forces like the U.S. and Japan.

With a presidential term limit, the nation will be compelled to yield many cadres of national leaders, both from the public and the military, so that we will be brought to a higher and more solid plateau of maturity in facing globalization. It could not be otherwise, a presidential term limit would automatically eradicate nepotism. Many people are aware that nepotism is an unscalable wall. Moreover, a presidential term limit would automatically correct the imbalance between the position of the legislative branch (the House of Representatives) and the executive branch (the central government).

If in the future MPR determines that two consecutive presidential terms are enough, it will not go against the 1945 Constitution, because the constitution of every country can still be amended in-line with the era's dynamics. Besides, ten years in office is enough time to perform executive functions. As an insignificant member of the community I can only place my hopes in MPR. The fate of our descendants will be determined now.

In conclusion, hats off to Minister Siswono Yudohusodo. If he had not made the statement on the presidential term limit, I would have been afraid to write this letter.

THOMAS P.T.

Jakarta