Who controls who?

Prof. Suhardiman, deputy chief of the Supreme Advisory Council, suggested that after the general session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in 1998, a report of the chief justice's position, clarifying his authority and responsibility, should be drawn up by the assembly.

It is an outstanding suggestion that should not be restricted to the chief justice alone. It should include all supreme institutions of the country (the presidency, House of Representatives, Supreme Court, Supreme Advisory Council and Supreme Audit Agency). The MPR's report would perfect the implementation of the 1945 Constitution, which is all too brief and vague. Also, since the Constitution is regarded as sacred and irreversible, a report to clarify its implementation should be very helpful.

All supreme national institutions are, in principle, on the same level. They are responsible only to the MPR.

This, however, is not enough. Who is to daily monitor and oversee all supreme institutions, so that action can be taken swiftly when a problem crops up? When a problem or a case comes up, do we have to wait another five years until the next general session of the MPR, for instance?

These points are not covered by the Constitution and the present council's report, so far.

During our 51 years of independence, numerous violations of the Constitution might have taken place without anything ever being done about them.

Therefore, in order to maintain genuine democracy -- as outlined by the 1945 Constitution and Pancasila, which is in the interest of the people and reflects honesty and justice -- I recommend that a report should be issued at the 1998 general session of the MPR about the forming of an executive board for the assembly.

This board would contain 100 persons of the various factions/parties sitting in the MPR. The board would be employed on a full-time basis for a duration of five years. Its main occupation would be to monitor activities and supervise the actions of all supreme institutions, in order to determine if the Broad Outlines of State Policy have been duly implemented by these supreme bodies.

SUHARSONO HADIKUSUMO

Jakarta