Supremacy of the law emphasized

Supremacy of the law emphasized

JAKARTA (JP): The working committee of the People's
Consultative Assembly's (MPR) has underlined the promotion of the
supremacy of law and the creation of good governance in the
proposed 1999-2004 State Policy Guidelines (GBHN).

Ad Hoc subcommittee I of the Assembly, in its proposed State
Policy Guidelines, said the next government must seek to "develop
a culture of law in all levels of society in order to create
legal awareness and obedience in the framework of the supremacy
of law and a law-based state".

The next government should promote human rights, the
independence of courts and build the moral integrity of law
enforcers, including the police, the committee said.

The committee noted that the country's legal sector had
recorded development in terms of legal products.

"But it is not coupled with an improvement in moral integrity
and professionalism of law enforcers," the committee said in its
written recommendation.

The committee also said the next government should be clean of
corrupt, collusive and nepotistic practices.

Any official implicated in such practices should be given the
gravest punishment in accordance with the existing law.

The quality of government officials should be developed with
improvements to the welfare enhancement program and merit-based
promotional system, the committee said.

The committee proposed that the wealth of government officials
be audited before and after their terms to ensure that they do
not amass wealth through corrupt practices during their tenure.

The draft GBHN proposed by the committee will be discussed by
all factions in the coming days before it is officially approved
as the State Policy Guidelines.

The committee also proposed the elimination of all uncontested
seats allocated to the military and police at the House of
Representatives. However, they conceded that the Indonesian
Military would be allocated seats in the Assembly.

The committee acknowledged some progress in security affairs.

It said, however, the next government had to do more to
improve the image of the military and police as well as to
strengthen their role as the protector of people and their
participation in the country's development program and in
developing democracy and upholding human rights.

"The public has decreasing trust in the military and police in
view of increasing troubles, mass riots and human rights abuse,"
the committee said.

The committee also warned of the potential disintegration of
the nation, calling on the next government to take measures to
maintain national unity.

It said the next government should create a more democratic
and open political atmosphere, respect differing aspirations,
promote the supremacy of law and uphold human rights.

The committee also recommended the amendment of the country's
1945 Constitution to accommodate the aspirations of the public.

It also put emphasis on the importance of regional autonomy,
calling on the government to help accelerate the development of
provinces, particularly the eastern part of the country and
border areas.

The next government should give the provincial administrations
greater responsibility to handle investment in their respective
areas and manage their own natural resources, the committee said.

It also said the next government should provide enough funds
to promote education and incentives for qualified human resources
to be stationed in the provinces.

The committee also recommended the next government to support
press freedom.

With regards to foreign relations, the committee called on the
next government to prioritize relations with developing
countries, to support any struggle for independence and to
promote international cooperation for the enhancement of people's
welfare. (jsk)