Ruhut Poltak Sitompul, S.H. and Martin Hutabarat, two members of the People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat/MPR), successfully attracted 300 students of Yogyakarta State University (YSU) to join the discussion concerning the significance of Broad Guidelines of State Policy (Garis-garis Besar Haluan Negara/GBHN). The discussion was part of MPR Goes to Campus. With the title “National Discussion: Legal Form and Consequence of GBHN”, this discussion also invited YSU faculties, namely Prof. Dr. Rochmat Wahab, M.Pd.,M.A. as the Rector of YSU, Dr. Suharno, M.Si. and Cholisin, M.Si. as the Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) YSU to speak on this topic.
The discussion was held in YSU Auditorium on Monday 11 April 2016, at 13.00 – 16.00. There were 5 sessions and each lasted for 20 minutes. Session 1 was Information Gathering by MC to the three YSU interviewees, continued with Session 2, namely the response of interviewees of MPR.
Prof. Dr. Rochmat Wahab was the first to give statement, “There is discontinuity of development in Indonesia after the President administration ends. We deem it necessary to have guidelines of state policy”. Then, Ruhut Sitompul, S.H., the celebrated lawyer of Indonesia, ascertained “Not all products of the New Order were bad. GBHN used to be one of them that was not bad at all, even it was deemed necessary.”
After Session 2, the participants were spoiled with clever jokes from Arba, a YSU student who was the comic at Stand Up Comedy UNY. His performance could break the ice.
In the next session, the participants could address an inquiry to the interviewees. Kartika, a student of Faculty of Education (FE) YSU asked why GBHN was removed. Martin Hutabarat, a member of MPR from Gerindra, answered “In the past, President was elected not by people but by MPR. These days, President was not elected by MPR but by the people, so MPR was not the highest state institution. Then, GBHN was no longer in use”. Lastly, Martin reminded the significance of contribution and participation by all parties, including universities, in constructing GBHN for shared interest.
The discussion also involved Jogja TV as media partner. This discussion was scheduled to air on 16 April 2016 at 20.00. (Wulan)
