People's Consultative Assembly
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The People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat (MPR)) is the Highest Governing Body in Indonesia as set by the 1945 Constitution. MPR was only formed, in accordance with Law No.16/1960, after the first general election of 1971. It was ruled, at the time, that MPR membership was twice the number of Representative House's membership. The 920 membership of MPR continued for the periods of 1977-1982 and 1982-1987. For the periods 1987-1992, 1992-1997, and 1997-1999 the MPR's membership became 1000. One hundred members were appointed representing delegations fromgroups as addition to the faction delegates of Karya Pembangunan (FKP), Partai Demokrasi Indonesia (FPDI), and Persatuan Pembangunan (FPP). For the period of the 1999-2004 the membership of MPR was only 700, likewise for 2004-2009 period.
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[edit] Origins
On 18th August 1945, the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence (PPKI - Panitia Persiapan Kemerdekaan Indonesia) decided on the 1945 Constitution. However, since the Nation was still going through a transition period, it was difficult to implement the constituion. The PPKI therefore decided to use The Four Clauses of Transition Regulations. Clause IV of the Transition Regulation stated, that prior to the establishment of MPR, the People's Representative Council (DPR), and Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) as set by the Constitution, all the relative powers would be held by the President with the assistance of a National Committee.
On 29th August 1945, the Central National Committee of Indonesia (KNIP) was set up with membership drawn from of community leaders from the various groups and regions as well as members from the PPKI.
On 16th October 1945, Vice President Mohammad Hatta issued a Decree which outlined the function and authority of the KNIP. In addition to the assisting the President, the KNIP will now perform legislative duties until a MPR and DPR could be formed. In taking on the functions of the MPR, the KNIP was responsible for creating the Broad Outlines of Government Policy (GBHN).
The role which KNIP played would provide a rough outline of the duties which the MPR would perform.
[edit] Federal Era and Parliamentary Democracy Era
On December 27th 1949, Indonesia's Independence was finally recognized by the Dutch Government and the search was on for a format of Government that would suit Indonesia.
From 1949 to 17th August 1950, Indonesia was known as the United States of the Republic Indonesia (RIS) and had a federal system of Government. Under the constitution of the RIS, the MPR was not recognized as the highest state institution and ceased to function. On the 17th August 1950, the RIS would cease to exist and Indonesia would change its name to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).
The format of Government that was quickly adopted was that of Parliamentary Democracy. The MPR was once again not recognized in the Provisional Constitution under which the Government ran under. This era, however would see the formation of the DPR as a result of the 1955 Legislative Elections. In December 1955, a Government Body called the Konstituante was formed and its duty was to format a new Constitution for Indonesia. However, the Konstituante members could never agree on a constitution and by 1959, the Government was demanding a return to the 1945 constitution although this request was rejected by the Konstituante members.
[edit] Guided Democracy Era/Old Order
[edit] Formation
On 5th July 1959, President Sukarno who until then played the role of ceremonial Head of State intervened. Issuing a Presidential Decree, Sukarno dissolved the Konstituante and declared that the 1945 Constitution would now be the legal constitution and that the Provisional Constitution was now void. With the return to the 1945 Constitution, the MPR was once again recognized as the Highest Governing Body in Indonesia.
Immediately after issuing his 5th July decree, Sukarno set to work in establishing an MPR, although it would be dubbed the Provisional People's Consultative Assembly (MPRS). Sukarno had originally envisaged a legislative election to be held to replace the MPRS with a proper MPR although this would not happen until 1971 under President Suharto's rule.
[edit] Composition
The MPRS during the Guided Democracy Era numbered 616 members. It consisted of the 257 DPR members, 241 Representatives of the Functional Groups, and 118 Regional Representatives. The MPRS was subservient to Sukarno, with the President deciding everything from the amount of seats to appointing additional members and choosing the Chairman and Vice Chairmen of the MPRS.
[edit] 1960 General Session
The MPRS held its first General Session in Bandung, West Java from 10th November to the 7th December.
It main resolution is the adoption of Sukarno's political manifesto as the GBHN and the broad outlines of the 8-year Development Plan which was set to start in 1961.
[edit] 1963 General Session
The MPRS held its second General Session in Bandung from 15th May to 22nd May 1963.
It was at this General Session that Sukarno was elected President for Life.
[edit] 1965 General Session
The MPRS held its third General Session in Bandung from 11th April to 15th April 1965.
This General Session further entrenched Sukarno's ideological approaches in the running of Indonesia. At this General Session, many of Sukarno's Independence Day speeches were adopted as the guideline for policies in the field of politics and economics. At this General Session, the MPRS also decided on the principals of Guided Democracy which will involve consultations (Musyawarah) and (Mufakat)
[edit] Transition to New Order
[edit] 1966 General Session
Perhaps the most significant of the MPR's General Sessions was that in 1966. Meeting in Jakarta from 20th June 1966-5th July 1966, the 1966 MPRS General Session marked the beginning of the official transfer of power from Sukarno to Suharto. Although the de facto transfer of power had been made on 11th March by virtue of Supersemar, Suharto wanted to maintain the appearance of legality.
During the General Session, the MPRS passed 24 resolutions which included revoking Sukarno's appointment to the Life Presidency, banning Marxism-Leninism, ratifying Supersemar and making it illegal to be withdrawn, the holding of legislative elections, commissioning Suharto to create a new Cabinet, and a constitutional amendment in which a President who is unable to perform his duty will be replaced by the holder of Supersemar instead of the Vice President.
Also during the General Session, Sukarno delivered a speech called Nawaksara (The Nine Points) in which he was expected to give account for the G30S movement in which 6 Generals and a first Lieutenant were kidnapped and killed by alleged Communists. The speech was rejected and the MPRS asked Sukarno to give a supplementary speech at the next MPRS General Session.
[edit] 1967 Special Session
The 1967 MPRS Special Session marked the end of Sukarno's Presidency and the beginning of Suharto's. Much like the 1966 General Session, the official handing of power was done before the General Session with Sukarno stepping down from his position in February 1967 (the General Session was held in March). Suharto's appointment as Acting President and the withdrawal of power from Sukarno during this General Session was just a formality.
The MPRS also passed a resolution to re-examine the adoption of the Political Manifesto as GBHN.
The Special Session assembled after Sukarno's Nawaksara Supplementary Letter (He did not deliver a speech) was deemed to be unworthy because it had not accounted for the G30S. On 9th February 1967, the DPR declared that the President was endangering the nation through his leadership and ideological stance. It then asked for a MPRS Special Session to be held in March.
[edit] 1968 Special Session
The 1968 MPRS Special Session officially consolidated Suharto's position by officially apppointing him to the Presidency. The MPRS commissioned Suharto to continue stabilizing Indonesia's politics and to formulate a Five Year Plan for the economy.
The Special Session was assembled when it became obvious that Suharto was not going to be able to hold legislative elections on July 1968 as had been ordered by the 1966 MPRS General Session. During this Special Session, the MPRS also commissioned Suharto to hold elections by 5th July 1971.
[edit] New Order
[edit] 1973 General Session
The 1973 General Session was the first MPR batch to have been elected by the people. Its membership were increased to 920 and until 1999 would contain members from Golkar, The United Development Party (PPP), The Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), ABRI and the Regional Representatives.
For the first time, the President was required to deliver an Accountability Speech. In this speech, the President would outline the achievements which he had accomplished during his 5 year term and how those achievements fulfilled the GBHN which the MPR had set out before the aforementioned President was elected.
In this General Session, the MPR passed resolutions which officially outlined the method of the election of the President and Vice President and decided on the relationship between the Governing Bodies in Indonesia (Such as the MPRS, DPR, DPA, etc.).
During this General Session, Suharto was elected to a 2nd term as President with Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX as his Vice President.
[edit] 1978 General Session
The 1978 General Session passed resolutions which included ratifying the integration of East Timor as a province of Indonesia and commissioning Suharto to establish Pancasila as the National Ideology via an indoctrination process.
This General Session was noted for the mass walkout of PPP members when Suharto referred to religions as "streams of beliefs".
During this General Session, Suharto was elected to a 3rd term as President with Adam Malik as his Vice President.
[edit] 1983 General Session
The 1983 General Session passed resolutions on the holding of a referendum as well giving Suharto the title of "Father of Development",
During this General Session, Suharto was elected to a 4th term as President with Umar Wirahadikusumah as his Vice President.
[edit] 1988 General Session
The 1988 General Session was marked by a reorganization of the MPR. Another faction, dubbed the Groups Faction was added. Members of this faction are drawn from all walks of life and integrated into the factions of Golkar, PPP, and PDI.
This General Session was also noted for the furore over the nomination of Sudharmono as Vice President which resulted in Brigadier General Ibrahim Saleh interrupting the General Session and PPP's Jaelani Naro nominating himself as Vice President before he was convinced to withdraw by Suharto.
During this General Session, Suharto was elected to a 5th term as President with Sudharmono as his Vice President.
[edit] 1993 General Session
The 1993 General Session was marked by another reorganization of the MPR. This time, the membership of the MPR was increased to 1000 members.
This General Session was noted for ABRI's pre-emptive nomination of Try Sutrisno as Vice President. Although displeased, Suharto did not want an open conflict with ABRI and accepted Try as his Vice President.
During this General Session, Suharto was elected to a 6th term as President with Try Sutrisno as his Vice President.
[edit] 1998 General Session
The 1998 General Session was held during the height of the Asian Financial Crisis and the peak of pro-democratic movements in Suharto's regime. In an effort to restore security and stability, the MPR passed a resolution to give special powers to the President to ensure the success and security of development.
During this General Session, Suharto was elected to a 7th term as President with BJ Habibie as his Vice President
[edit] Reform Era
[edit] 1998 Special Session
The 1998 Special Session was the first MPR assembly held after Suharto's resignation from the Presidency and fall from power in May 1998. Although it still consisted of politicians who had flourished during Suharto's regime, this batch of MPR members were keen to distance themselves from Suharto and appeal to the Reformist sentiments which was running prevalent in Indonesia at the time.
During this Special Session, MPR passed resolutions which included revoking the special powers given to the President in the 1998 General Session and limiting the amount of terms of the President. The MPR also passed resolutions to hold Legislative Elections in 1999, ordered a crackdown on corruption, collution, and nepotism as well as cancelling the resolution which ordered for the indoctrination of Pancasila in order to establish it as a National Ideology.
[edit] 1999 General Session
The 1999 General Session was the first MPR with "real" Reform credentials. In another reorganization process, the MPR membership was reduced to 700 with 500 DPR members, 135 Regional Representatives, and 65 Group Representatives.
During the General Session, the MPR passed resolutions to recognize the referendum in East Timor and to set a task force to amend the 1945 constitutions. MPR also stipulated that from then on, it will hold Annual Sessions to receive reports from the President, DPR, the State Audit Board (BPK), DPA, and the Supreme Court. After receiving these annual reports, the MPR would then work to give recommendations on the course of action that the President could take.
For the first time, MPR rejected a President's accountability speech and Presidential and Vice Presidential elections were held with more than one person competing.
During the General Session, Abdurrahman Wahid was elected President with Megawati Sukarnoputri as his Vice President.
[edit] 2000 Annual Session
The 2000 Annual Session continued the Reform process. During the Session, MPR passed resolutions which officially separated the TNI from the National Police as well as defining their roles. MPR also passed resolutions on the consolidation of National Unity and recommendations regarding the execution of Regional Autonomy.
[edit] 2001 Special Session
The 2001 Special Session assembled after President Wahid was allegedly involved in corruption case and after the DPR began claiming that Wahid's leadership had gone incompetent. Originally scheduled for August 2001, the Special Session was brought forward to July 2001. The Special Session then removed Wahid from the Presidency.
During this Special Session, Megawati was elected as President with Hamzah Haz as her Vice President.
[edit] 2001 Annual Session
[edit] 2002 Annual Session
The 2002 Annual Session continued the Constitutional Amendment process, most notably changing the system of Presidential Elections, the abolition of the DPA, the requirement that 20% of the National Budget be allocated for education, and the formulation of the Constitutional Court by 17th August 2003.
[edit] 2003 Annual Session
The 2003 Annual Session focused on the legal status of the previous resolutions that the MPR (Including its days as the MPRS had passed) as well as deciding on the composition of the the Constitutional Commission.
The 2003 Annual Session also outlined the MPR's new status which would come into effect with the inauguration of the new President in 2004. With the President and Vice President now elected directly by the people and with the Constitutional Amendments which the MPR worked on from 1999-2002, the MPR's power was reduced. It would no longer be the Highest Governing Body in Indonesia but would stand on equal terms with the DPR, BPK, the Supreme Court, and the Constitutional Court. In dealing with the President and Vice President, the MPR would now be responsible for the inauguration ceremony and should the occasion call for it, the impeachment of the President and/or Vice President. The MPR would only elect a new President and Vice President should both positions became vacant.
[edit] 2004 Annual Session
During this session, the MPR heard its last accountability speech by a President.
[edit] List of Chairman
[edit] KNIP
- Kasman Singodimedjo (1945-1949)
[edit] MPRS
- Chaerul Saleh (1960-1966)
- Gen. Abdul Haris Nasution (1966-1972)
[edit] MPR
- Idham Chalid (1972-1977)
- Adam Malik (1977-1978)
- Gen. Daryatmo (1978-1982)
- Gen. Amirmachmud (1982-1987)
- Lt. Gen. Kharis Suhud (1987-1992)
- Lt. Gen. Wahono (1992-1997)
- Harmoko (1997-1999)
- Amien Rais (1999-2004)
- Hidayat Nur Wahid (2004-)
