The president said that under the 1945 Constitution, the Supreme Court (MA) must carry out monitoring and investigation functions at the judicial level. “So, if some people want to carry out such functions at a level other than the judicative level, we must fight them,” he said.
The president also thought that the constitution is too often played with and abused. He reminded people to search for a peaceful political solution. “If no peaceful political solution is found, well, we have to apply the 1945 Constitution with all the consequences,” he said.
Despite the 1945 Constitution amendment next year, the president said that we still have to refer to the genuine 1945 Constitution. “Therefore, if you really want to have a parliamentary cabinet, please wait for the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) to amend the Constitution in 2002. However, the amendment can not be carried out now,” he said.
According to the president, the 1945 Constitution has been repeatedly violated. He cited the example of Vice President M. Hatta, who once issued the X declaration three months after the Indonesian proclamation of independence. The declaration then changed the presidential cabinet system to a parliamentary one. The 1950 Temporary Constitution was then imposed in Indonesia. However, it did not last long as President Soekarno issued a decree to disband the constituent assembly.
The president thought that he had been too flexible and tolerant. He said that his approach was aimed at educating people toward democratization post-authoritarianism. Therefore, the president urged all people not to violate the 1945 Constitution. “However, they need to collaborate with the House of Representatives (DPR) at the judicial level and the MA at the legislative level,” he said.
