PDIP to Combine Soekarno and Soeharto in New GBHN

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) insisted on proposing to restore the Outline of State Policy (GBHN) concept for the next period of parliamentary term. The proposal was reiterated during the Sixth Plenary Session of Congress V of PDIP in Bali on Saturday, 10 August 2019. The proposed concept was a combination of the GBHN concept in the Soekarno and Soeharto era.

"PDIP proposed the continuation of a limited amendment of the Republic of Indonesia Constitution 1945 to reinstate the MPR [People's Consultative Assembly] as the highest state institution with the authority to determine the GBHN as a government organizational guideline to ensure the sustainability of national development," said PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto when reading the recommendation of the congress in Bali on Saturday, August 10, 2019.

Deputy Speaker of the MPR from PDIP Ahmad Basarah, explained that the state outline policy proposed by PDIP is not only an outline for national development by the executive body or the government, but also involving other state institutions with authorities bestowed by the 1945 Constitution.

"Our proposal combines the concept of national development as it was done during President Soekarno era, and also the GBHN patter of the President Soeharto era," Basarah explained to Tempo on Friday, August 9, 2019

The Soekarno era concept includes the State Institution Primary Guidance, in which the authorities will be provided by the 1945 Constitution. Meanwhile, the Planned Comprehensive National Development Guidance (PNSB) also introduced in the Soekarno era, will be made once every eight years.

To restore the GBHN, the MPR's functions must be strengthened. Basarah said that there will be a proposal to reorganize the authorities and function of the MPR, because what is regulated in the GBHN are institutions with authorities provided by the Constitution. Therefore, the MPR is dicussing studies on the limited amendment of the 1945 Contitution.

If later the Constitution can be amended, especially the articles related to the existence, authority and the position of the MPR, according to Basarah, then the MPR can determine the GBHN.

Regarding the substance of the GBHN and the PNSB, Basarah said that drafting of the policy by the government will involve the National Development Planning Agency and the National Research Agency, among other stakeholders.

"This means that the MPR will listen and receive inputs from numerous elements when drafting the outline. Therefore, the GBHN and PNSB script will represent the people's aspiration and will, which will be determined by the MPR.

DEWI NURITA