Constitutionally a Winner

The world's third largest democracy took a great leap forward last week when Indonesia's highest legislative body agreed to sweeping constitutional reforms, paving the way for direct presidential elections in 2004. The fractious People's Consultative Assembly, a holdover from the three-decade rule of deposed President Suharto, also agreed to transform itself into a bicameral body similar to the United States Congress. "This is historical," enthuses political analyst and columnist Bara Hasibuan. "For the first time, we'll be using a presidential system where all branches are equal. There will now be a separation of power rather than a division of power."

Incumbent President...