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)