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MPR to consult public before making constitutional amendment
MPR Speaker Bambang Soesatyo gave an assurance that the amendment would be "limited" to a particular issue, namely reinstating the now-defunct State Policy Guidelines (GBHN), and would not be expanded to cover other crucial issues that could stir public concern.
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People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) members attend a plenary meeting on Thursday, Oct. 3, in Jakarta. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
T
he People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has promised to seek the public’s input as it looks to amend the 1945 Constitution, offering an assurance that any changes would not take effect immediately.
MPR Speaker Bambang Soesatyo said the assembly would consult the public in the first and second years of the current term before going ahead with the amendment plan.
In the third year, he said, the assembly would explore the plan again, and look to complete it should the public agree with the amendments. If the public is opposed, the Assembly will apparently scrap the plan.
"We will have three years. The first two years will be a 'golden time' to collect the public’s opinions, which continue to evolve. Whether or not the plan will go ahead will depend on the political dynamics within next two or three years," he said.
Bambang, a Golkar Party politician, emphasized that the Assembly would discuss the amendment plan carefully and thus he was hesitant to set any target. He also gave an assurance that the amendment would be "limited" to a particular issue, namely reinstating the now-defunct State Policy Guidelines (GBHN). and would not be expanded to cover other crucial issues that could stir public concern.
"Once again, I want to emphasize that there is no set target [for the plan]. We will gather as much input from the public as possible," Bambang said.
"All 10 leaders of the MPR have agreed to be very careful," he added.
