The MPR Annual Session

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.