Page:Draft Constitution of the Republic of the United States of Indonesia.djvu/24

 The members of the Senate can resign at all times.

They notify the Chairman to this effect in writing.

1. The President appoints the Chairman of the Senate from a recommendation of at least two persons, either members or strangers to be presented by the Senate.

2. The Chairman of the Senate has to comply with the conditions referred to in article 82.

3. The Chairman of the Senate is not a member, he has an advisory vote. He convokes the Senate.

4. If one of the members is appointed Chairman of the Senate, the government c.q. authority of the participant territory concerned appoints another as a member in his place.

5. The Senate appoints from its midst a deputy-Chairman of the Senate who retains his membership and vote.

6. In case of inavailability or absence of the Chairman and deputy-Chairman of the Senate, the eldest member in years temporarily presides over the meeting retaining membership and vote.

Before assuming his office, the Chairman of the Senate takes the following oath (makes the following declaration and promise) before the President, in accordance with his regilious belief:

”I swear (promise) I have neither directly nor indirectly under whatever name or pretence given or promised, or shall not give anything to anyone whoever he may be, in order to be appointed Chairman of the Senate.

”I swear (promise) I shall neither directly nor indirectly accept from anybody whoever he may be any promise or gift, in order to act or abstain from acting in the execution of this office.

”I swear (promise) that I shall always assist keeping the Constitution and other laws prevailing for the State, that I shall promote the welfare of the Republic of the United States of Indonesia to the best of my ability and loyally serve the Country and the People and the State”.

The Senate convenes at Djakarta unless the Government in emergency cases temporarily designates another place.

1. The meetings concerning subjects as referred to in article 127 sub a and 168 are public, unless the Chairman of the Senate considers a private meeting necessary, or if at least five members demand such a meeting.

2. After declaring the meeting private, the meeting decides whether the debate will indeed be held behind closed doors.