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PDI-P, Gerindra say no rush on constitutional amendment
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Gerindra Party patron Prabowo Subianto (second left) and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri (center) smile while taking a selfie with Megawati's daughter and then-coordinating human development and culture minister Puan Maharani (second right) on the sidelines of the opening of the PDI-P's fifth national congress in Bali in August 2019. (JP/Zul Trio Anggono)
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either the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) nor the Gerindra Party are in any rush to push the controversial plan to amend the 1945 Constitution, both parties’ secretary generals asserted on Tuesday, amid reports that scenarios to extend a presidential tenure are in play.
PDI-P, a long-time proponent of the amendment, reaffirmed the party’s stance on Tuesday, saying that proposing the constitutional amendment was a party decision made at the party’s fifth congress back in 2019.
PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto said, however, that the party’s current priority was to maintain a “conducive political atmosphere” and “positive energy” amid the COVID-19 health crisis hampering the nation.
“[PDI-P chairwoman] Megawati Soekarnoputri has stressed that the PDI-P’s policy is to slow down on matters related to the constitutional amendment,” Hasto said in a live-streamed press conference.
The amendment would grant the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) a greater mandate than it currently has to draft development plans in the shape of the state policy outlines (PPHN) — previously called State Policy Guidelines (GBHN) — for the President to follow. Concerns, however, have been growing among experts that if the amendment is realized, the deliberation would expand to other issues, including presidential term limits.
Read also: ‘Limited’ constitutional amendment push sparks criticism
The PDI-P’s posture appears to be echoed by Gerindra, once an opponent but now in favor of the amendment.
