Jakarta – A series of amendments to the Constitution have expanded the authority of the legislative body while undermining the prominence of other governing powers, experts say.
"These amendments mean the House of Representatives tends to have much more authority than others. It seems Indonesia is using the parliamentary system rather than the presidential system," said Muladi, a board member of The Habibie Center, during a discussion on democracy.
Excessive legislative intervention on executive authority was the main cause of political gridlock in Indonesia, he continued. He also cited there was an inequality in terms of authority and membership between the House and the Regional Representatives Council.
"Both members were selected through direct elections but the council does not have the authority to control and pass laws," the National Resilience Institute former governor said.
Veteran Indonesian diplomat and legal expert Hasjim Djalal said the amendments had also deprived the political clout of the People's Consultative Assembly.
"The assembly no longer composes the state policy outline [previously known as GBHN] and the President is no longer responsible to the assembly but to the House," Hasjim said during the dialogue.
The amendment to the Constitution was made four times during the 1999-2002 period, resulting in 129 new articles.
Both Muladi and Hasjim agreed that Indonesia needs another amendment due to several weaknesses in the amended Constitution. Muladi recommended a few things for revising.
"The council has to be involved in budgeting, supervising and legislating. The President must have the rights to veto law drafts proposed by the House," he said.
To make ground for democratic consolidation, Muladi said the planned amendment should be effective before the 2014 election. In March, the council officially submitted the new amendment's proposal to the assembly. Maria Goreti, a regional council member from West Kalimantan said the council had support from the academic society to propose the new amendment.
"They asked in a focus group discussion what it meant to have representatives who cannot decide anything?" Maria told The Jakarta Post.
Maria acknowledged she was worried political parties in the House would resist the proposal aiming to empower the council.
"If they do not play blind they should understand the importance of the checks and balances system. They do not have to worry about giving the council more power because the council represents the Indonesian people too," she said.
Article 37 of the Constitution stipulates that the proposal for amendment can be listed in the people's assembly sitting session if approved by at least one-third of its members. (swd)