The MPR Annual Session

The Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, drafted in 1945, stipulates that the People's Consultative Assembly is the receptacle of the people's sovereignty. The Assembly, better known as the MPR, commences its Annual Session today. This arrangement whereby the MPR convenes annually was introduced as part of the ongoing political reform process with the election of Abdurrahman Wahid as president and Megawati Soekarnoputri as vice president during the MPR's October 1999 session.

In the past, during president Soeharto's reign of more than three decades, the MPR's role was merely perfunctory. It convened every five years based on a rigid interpretation of the Constitution. The MPR would then endorse Soeharto's report on his performance as head of government during the previous five years. And, as to be expected, it would again elect Soeharto for the following presidential term, which privilege he would always humbly accept.

After Soeharto's dramatic resignation in May 1998, as Indonesia entered a new era of democratic reform, a new MPR was born based on a general election which was viewed by international observers (including former U.S. president Jimmy Carter) as democratic and transparent.

It was this new MPR, shedding off the docility of its predecessor, that during its inaugural session in October 1999 rejected B.J. Habibie's nomination for the presidency. Instead, the MPR elected Abdurrahman Wahid as Indonesia's new president although the political party he associated himself with had only garnered 12.6 percent of the popular vote in the June 1999 general election.

Megawati, whose Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) cornered almost 34 percent of the popular vote, became the new vice president despite the fact that she led the country's largest political party. Such are the vagaries of Indonesia's democracy.

However, when the MPR became disillusioned with President Wahid, who had persisted in ignoring all the warning signs, the MPR during its special session in July decisively dismissed him from office.

Now, with Megawati completing her first 100 days in office, what is the relevance of the current MPR session?

The Assembly will mainly be preoccupied by two main groups of issues unless, of course, a new item of business is put forward. First, the drafts of a number of proposed amendments to the 1945 Constitution as formulated by a special committee have been distributed to all MPR members. The most important proposed amendment concerns the direct election of the president and the vice president. This amendment, logically, will impact on the electoral system and on the inherent power of the MPR. That's why related amendments concerning the electoral system and the MPR will also be submitted to the Assembly members.

The second main group of items on the agenda consist of reports to be submitted by what constitutionally are referred to as the five (5) high institutions of state. These are the Presidency, the House of Representatives, the State Audit Agency, the Supreme Court and the Supreme Advisory Council.

Their reports are not meant to be statements of accountability that should be debated vigorously and endorsed or rejected. Such a procedure is only obligatory during the 2004 MPR session at the end of the Megawati-Hamzah administration.

We do think, however, that even though these reports could be considered as pro forma, the occasion itself offers an excellent opportunity for MPR members through their faction statements (responding to those reports) to ponder seriously on the state of the nation amidst a rapidly changing international situation.

Even before the horrific September 11 attacks occurred, the Megawati-Hamzah administration was already saddled with a long list of difficult problems. After September 11, the challenges facing the government and the nation become even more daunting.

Enough has been said about the need for President Megawati to display a more inspiring style of leadership to rally the nation, thereby also motivating state agencies to work harder towards achieving economic recovery.

MPR members could still urge the President in a spirit of constructive criticism to involve herself more actively in the main affairs of her government.

They should also remind members of the Supreme Court that what the Indonesian people require presently is not only the basic material human needs. Just as important as the provision of food, clothing, shelter, potable water and medical services is the fulfillment of their sense of justice. MPR members should warn the country's highest court that its recent decision in the Tommy Soeharto case, whatever legal technicalities may be invoked, has only heightened the cynicism found throughout our society.

In responding to the progress report to be submitted by the House of Representatives, the MPR could deliver a friendly reminder to their legislative colleagues that their tendency lately to micro-manage government operations has delayed the taking of important decisions that are essential for a speedy economic recovery.

In short, we view the importance of this current MPR Annual Session as providing an opportunity for instilling a much needed sense of urgency among the five high institutions of state in exercising their respective functions so as to move the country forward.

That's why we would like to suggest that the MPR postpone its debates on the constitutional amendments until the 2002 Annual Session. Talk of amending the Constitution usually ignites emotional debates with repercussions for society in general, repercussions which could provide a dangerous diversion from our main goal of maintaining national cohesion and ensuring a speedy economic recovery.