Commission may add MPR seats<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The ad hoc Constitutional Commission assigned with assessing the
\namended Constitution sprang a surprise on Tuesday when it
\nproposed more seats for the Regional Representatives Council
\n(DPD).<\/p>\n
Saying the move was aimed at empowering the bicameral
\nlegislative system, the commission suggested that the DPD
\nrepresent each regency\/municipality and each province across the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
The country has 416 regencies\/municipalities and 32 provinces.<\/p>\n
\"We think there is unequal power in the current bicameral
\nsystem between the House of Representatives and the Regional
\nRepresentatives Council. We have to balance it,\" commission
\nmember Dahlan Thaib told a plenary meeting.<\/p>\n
The larger the DPD, the stronger its bargaining power in
\nlegislation and supervision duties.<\/p>\n
\"The configuration of DPD members will reflect the sovereignty
\nof the people,\" he said.<\/p>\n
This would, of course, increase the number of the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR) legislators from the current 700 to
\nabout 996.<\/p>\n
The amended Constitution stipulates that the total number of
\nDPD members must not exceed one-third of the number of the House.
\nIt suggests that each province be represented by four people.<\/p>\n
The General Elections Commission is likely to increase the
\nnumber of House legislators to 550 in the 2004 polls from 500 in
\nthe previous election in 1999.<\/p>\n
In line with the Constitution, there should be 128 DPD members
\nelected in 2004 at the most.<\/p>\n
DPD only has legislative powers regarding regional autonomy.<\/p>\n
It is feared that increasing the number of DPD members would
\njustify the House ignoring the aspirations of the people.<\/p>\n
Commission deputy chairman Albert Hasibuan acknowledged that
\nthe imbalance between the House and the Council had created
\nproblems.<\/p>\n
He said the Constitutional Commission had intended to empower
\nthe DPD. \"We will push for the creation of a true bicameral
\nsystem,\" he added.<\/p>\n
With the existence of a powerful House and DPD, the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR) would no longer be a permanent body,
\nbut simply a joint session.<\/p>\n
Albert said the Assembly's functions and tasks could be
\ncarried out by other institutions.<\/p>\n
Article 3 of the amended Constitution says the tasks of the
\nAssembly are making constitutional amendments, inaugurating
\npresidents and vice presidents, and impeachment when required.<\/p>\n
Constitutional amendments, for example, can be carried out by
\na constitutional commission preceded by a national referendum.
\nThe Supreme Court can inaugurate presidents and vice presidents
\nwhile impeachments can be heard by the Constitutional Court,
\nwhose ruling would be final and binding.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, DPD deputy chairman Ishak Latuconsina said the
\ncommission members were still debating their method of work.<\/p>\n
Some commission members proposed that the commission assess
\nthe amended Constitution article by article, while others
\ndemanded an assessment per subject.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/commission-may-add-mpr-seats-1447893297",
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