Devi Asmarani, Jakarta – A battle is brewing in Parliament over a move to amend the constitution to enable Indonesians to directly vote for their President and Vice-President by the 2004 elections.
The Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle (PDI-P), the largest party in Parliament and headed by President Megawati Sukarnoputri, has rejected the proposed amendment, although five other major political parties have thrown their weight behind the move.
An ad-hoc committee in Parliament is currently drafting the proposed amendment before the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) gives its stamp of approval during the November annual session. If the PDI-P continues to reject the proposed amendment, the MPR would have to vote during the annual session.
Lawmakers said a direct presidential election would strengthen the legitimacy of the country's leaders. In the current system, the 695 members of the MPR, which include the 500 Parliament members, elect the President and Vice-President after the general election to elect the MPs.
Observers have said this system is susceptible to money politics, and its results could often betray the people's choice. In 1998, Ms Megawati lost in the presidential fray to Mr Abdurrahman Wahid despite having won the general election. Her defeat was caused by the loose coalition among Muslim factions, unable to accept a woman leader, and the Golkar party supporting Mr Abdurrahman, who was impeached last month over graft allegations.
Ironically, the PDI-P has been the strongest opponent to direct presidential election. The party's representative in the ad-hoc committee, Mr Jacob Tobing, said the party wanted the current system to remain, except that the party that wins the general election will automatically have its presidential and vice-presidential candidates elected. Party officials also cited their fears of potential conflicts if the new system raised technical problems.
Critics said the PDI-P has been very "conservative" in the constitutional amendment process because of President Megawati's emotional attachment to the constitution drafted by her father, founding president Sukarno.
But Golkar, the second largest party in the house, is supporting a new "district system" that would guarantee fair competition for candidates from outside of Java, which is inhabited by 60 per cent of Indonesians. In the new system, contenders must win more than 50 per cent of the popular vote and at the same time 20 per cent of the votes in at least half of Indonesian provinces.
"With the current system, if you win in Java, you pretty much win the election, so the President will likely come from Java," said Golkar's Rully Chairul Azwar. Observers said Golkar will likely benefit from the direct presidential system.
The ruling party for 32 years under then president Suharto, it still has a strong network of bureaucrats and supporters outside of Java. Though the party's image is still widely associated with Mr Suharto's corrupt regime, its chairman, Mr Akbar Tandjung, who is from North Sumatra, has made it clear he is eyeing the presidency in the next elections.