Jakarta, Oct 16 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said that he has no authority to amend the Constitution of 1945 (UUD 1945).
"I have already said that the President has no constitutional authority," Yudhoyono said while responding to the recommendation from the participants of Short Education Programs of Force XVII and Regular Education Program of Force XVIII 2012 of National Security Agency (Lemhanas) in the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The President added that the amendment could be conducted by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) as its authority. However, it would require the support of the people as holders of the highest sovereignty.
"Although it is in the domain of the People's Consultative Assembly to amend the constitution, the essence is that the people have to be heard too as they are the holders of the true sovereign. We are not holding a referendum but asking for views to be heard on the constitution," he said.
According to him, the proposal to amend the 1945 Constitution should be submitted to the people to be considered and assessed. If there is a positive response by the people and the exercise is carried out in accordance with the correct procedures and time, the amendment of the 1945 Constitution can be conducted by the Assembly.
"If there's a thought like that, please explain it to the public. Please make sure that the constitutional amendment proposals get a positive response. Then, if the time is right and the process is correct, there may be a fifth amendment, as has been communicated earlier," he said.
However, the President added that the amendment of the Constitution should be done with careful and long term-thought so that the resulting Constitution would encourage improvements in the lives of people and the overall state of the nation.
"It's not good if the constitution is amended regularly," concluded Yudhoyono.
(C005/INE/A/S012)
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Bangka Belitung 2012
"I have already said that the President has no constitutional authority," Yudhoyono said while responding to the recommendation from the participants of Short Education Programs of Force XVII and Regular Education Program of Force XVIII 2012 of National Security Agency (Lemhanas) in the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The President added that the amendment could be conducted by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) as its authority. However, it would require the support of the people as holders of the highest sovereignty.
"Although it is in the domain of the People's Consultative Assembly to amend the constitution, the essence is that the people have to be heard too as they are the holders of the true sovereign. We are not holding a referendum but asking for views to be heard on the constitution," he said.
According to him, the proposal to amend the 1945 Constitution should be submitted to the people to be considered and assessed. If there is a positive response by the people and the exercise is carried out in accordance with the correct procedures and time, the amendment of the 1945 Constitution can be conducted by the Assembly.
"If there's a thought like that, please explain it to the public. Please make sure that the constitutional amendment proposals get a positive response. Then, if the time is right and the process is correct, there may be a fifth amendment, as has been communicated earlier," he said.
However, the President added that the amendment of the Constitution should be done with careful and long term-thought so that the resulting Constitution would encourage improvements in the lives of people and the overall state of the nation.
"It's not good if the constitution is amended regularly," concluded Yudhoyono.
(C005/INE/A/S012)
Editor : Ida
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Bangka Belitung 2012