Some 7,800 institutions support amendment to Constitution

At least 7,841 institutions have declared their support for a fifth amendment to the Constitution, head of the Regional Representatives Council faction at the People's Consultative Assembly, Bambang Suroso, said Wednesday.

Bambang said the institutions included universities, civil society groups and press organizations.

He said among changes sought was the strengthening of the role of the council, given it presently had barely any authority compared with the ever powerful House of Representatives.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said earlier he also supported another amendment as he sought a stronger presidential system for the country.

“We're targeting to start amending the 1945 Constitution by mid 2012 after the Assembly's meeting to settle this issue,” Bambang said in a discussion in Bengkulu.

“With the support of the 7,481 institutions, hopefully we can realize (the amendment),” he said as quoted by Antara.