President Too Late in Issuing Perppu: Irman Gusman

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has come under fire due to the delay in issuing a Perppu to revoke the implementation of the law on indirect regional elections by legislative assemblies recently passed by the parliament.

Irman Gusman, the newly re-elected chairman of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD), categorically stated on Friday that the move came too late.

"The president (as the chairman of a large political party) should have followed what the people had demanded, which was the direct system of elections," he remarked when asked to comment on the issue at the parliament building.

Irman, however, emphasized that although it was too late, the people must support the president's decision.

He revealed his plan to hold a special meeting to discuss the issue since the DPD had supported the implementation of the direct system of elections.

He stated that several sections of parliament members had voiced their aspirations to support direct elections when the Pilkada (regional elections) Bill was discussed.

"Certainly, we must also use common sense. The DPD supports direct elections. We are regional representatives, and so, we must listen to their aspirations. Certainly, improvements are needed such as curbing costs," he pointed out.

Aria Bima, a politician from the Indonesia Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP), has called for a comprehensive study of the Perppu.

He noted that President Yudhoyono also had to tender a clear explanation regarding why the people's right to vote had been transferred to the DPRD (regional legislative assembly).

"SBY (the president) must not only issue a Perppu but also give guidance regarding the revocation of the people's right by the DPRD," he remarked.

In the meantime, Beni K. Harman, a politician from President Yudhoyono's Democrat Party, lauded the decision taken by the president to issue a Perppu to salvage democracy.

"Perppu is issued to meet the emergency needs of overcoming a legal impasse. The president, in line with the constitution, may not allow the scare to become real," he pointed out.        

Benny explained that two requirements, such as emergency needs and legal impasse, should be met before a Perppu may be issued, and he believed that they have been fulfilled.

"A president is not allowed to let democracy die due to a threat from the implementation of the Pilkada law as the president has vowed to uphold and save democracy and the constitution," he declared.

The House of Representatives (DPR) has passed the Pilkada bill submitted by the government into law to amend the current direct system of elections of provincial governors, district heads, and city mayors into an indirect one by the DPRD.

The bill was passed easily after President Yudhoyono's Democrat Party members staged a walkout during the vote.

As a result of this move, President Yudhoyono and his Democrat Party had received a lot of flak from various quarters.

President Yudhoyono had expressed disappointment over the passage of the bill into law, and on Thursday evening, he signed two Perppus to cancel the law. (WDY)