Special session of MPR
Special session of MPR
From Media Indonesia
As the special session of the People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR) draws nearer, the national political atmosphere is becoming
hotter. Meanwhile, the players in the House of Representatives
(DPR) and MPR wrestle with the agendas involving attractive
political positions, determining the national leader along with
his or her subordinates. In other words, the issues up for
discussion are hardly touching the agenda: i.e., how to solve the
multidimentional problems that are facing the nation at present.
When observing legislators' behavior in the DPR/MPR there is a
strong impression that they are only thirsty for power and are
whetting their appetite for positions. In regard to the national
problems, the legislators simply assume that it all depends on
the President. These legislators do not realize that their
contribution would be of great value in the effort to overcome
national instability which has caused prolonged economic and
political crises by engaging themselves in endless confrontations
rather than opening the door to a compromise.
A compromise should not be perceived as political horse
trading or sharing political power and positions. The compromise
would be aimed at maintaining national integrity, putting state
and national interests above groups' and parties' interests or,
even personal interests. The present national condition requires
that there is an urgent end to the confrontations, proportional
roles of all political entities and the establishment of a
supremacy of law.
As the holders of the political ball, the chairmen of the
DPR/MPR should seek a win-win solution for the ongoing conflicts.
The establishment of national integrity should be given a high
priority through designing a conceptual idea, without any group
feeling shameful, whereas faulty management would only result in
the ball being kicked into the valley of destruction. At that
point the future of our country would be at great risk.
RENIT LUBIS
Medan, North Sumatra