August 13, 2002
Indonesia Take a New Role
Constitutionally a WinnerHow very proud I am after heard the great leap of political substancial changes in my country. Despite of what others said, we only had a hope that our country still have a brave to change. I don't know is it truly reasonable to say, but every people must be have to ask theirself, "Will this changes made a benefit for their life?".
The world's third largest democracy took a great leap forward last week when Indonesia's highest legislative body agreed to sweeping constitutional reforms, paving the way for direct presidential elections in 2004. The fractious People's Consultative Assembly, a holdover from the three-decade rule of deposed President Suharto, also agreed to transform itself into a bicameral body similar to the United States Congress. "This is historical," enthuses political analyst and columnist Bara Hasibuan. "For the first time, we'll be using a presidential system where all branches are equal. There will now be a separation of power rather than a division of power."
So, by talking is it benefit or not, for me, I only had a hope that people (i mean all people including politician, law supremation, and global communities) should alltogether work hard to realise that. I couldn't believe everything goes well just by a new better planned system whether the people who run its system just screwed and sucking theirself. In fact, I also couldn't believe those new system will benefit for its people if they only run amuck everyday.
Ah, we still had many work to do. That law should be revised, and many more should be changed following that changed. With the new revised system, people also should be better educated. The revised UUD 45 in section "Hak Asasi Manusia" which plan new and more open culture should be get their best, thinking process should be more openly. And so many more homework. By the changing, we also should consider that many changing goes unpredictable. So, i prefer we watch and take care of myself. If all people do the best of theirself, all believes the world goes well.
Continued... form TIME August 19 - AUGUST 26, 2002 / VOL. 160 NO. 6/7Read also:
Incumbent President Megawati Sukarnoputri looks to gain the greatest immediate benefit from the changes. As virtually the only Indonesian politician with national recognition, electoral triumph in 2004 seems almost assured for the increasingly aloof leader. Besides the assurance of a public mandate, Megawati will also be spared the threat of removal by the unruly assembly, which last year impeached Abdurrahman Wahid after he served just 21 months of his five-year presidential term.
In another significant step away from the Suharto era, the powerful military will also lose some political clout under the new constitution. The armed forces and police had previously been guaranteed a presence in parliament through appointed seats. Minority hardline Islamic parties also took a hit. Their push to insert a clause in the constitution making the country's Muslims subject to Islamic law drew minimal support. That resounding rejection of Shari'a by the world's largest Muslim nation may mean more to the country's immediate future than the shot in the arm the constitutional changes give to the country's shaky democracy.
Constitutional Changes Doubted in Indonesia, Washington Post
Posted at August 13, 2002 11:46 AM | Indonesia
