To amend or not to amend

To amend or not to amend

From Rakyat Merdeka

The debate over amending the 1945 Constitution has become
increasingly heated among politicians, political observers and
non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It is ridiculous that
there is even the idea that if the amendments to the 1945
Constitution are implemented, it will harm the Indonesian
Military (TNI) and the National Police.

The authority to amend the Constitution rests with the
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) but, of course, it must heed
popular aspirations and take into account the consequences of
introducing the amendments. If the amendments benefit the people,
the nation and the state, they should be implemented.

On the contrary, if they harm the people and only comply with
the demands voiced by a hand full of protesters, who have become
the tools of politicians, it is appropriate not to implement
them.

So, if the amendments benefit the people, they also benefit
TNI and the police, and vice versa. In short, we should not
blindly accuse TNI and the police of being against amendments.
Perhaps they will suffer if the amendments eventually lead to
national disintegration.

So we should not always be prejudiced against TNI and the
police. All of us, including politicians, NGOs and political
observers, should rely on our conscience in looking at the
problems that our nation is facing. We should let MPR members
decide what is best for our beloved nation and allow TNI and the
police to play their roles so that they can maintain the
sovereignty of the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia.

JUHENDI

Tangerang, West Java