DPD still struggles for existence a year after establisment<\/p>\n
Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
It is still difficult to claim that Indonesia has a true
\nbicameral legislature with its seemingly weak \"senate\", which has
\ndone nothing significant in nearly a year since it was first set
\nup.<\/p>\n
The Regional Representatives Council (DPD), which some pundits
\nhave described as being akin to the U.S. Senate, but without the
\npower to prevent a law's passage, has been struggling to dodge
\nthe flaming arrows of critics -- who say it ought to be abolished
\n-- but little else.<\/p>\n
\"Perhaps it's indeed because what we do or say is without any
\npower, that most of what we do is limited to giving input or
\nrecommendations,\" said outspoken DPD deputy La Ode Ida on Friday.<\/p>\n
He admitted that the DPD had yet to make a significant
\ncontribution to the state, but assured the public that in time it
\nwould manage to solidify its existence.<\/p>\n
La Ode said one way to make its voice heard was by producing
\nresponses or ideas on policy that were novel and breakthrough
\ncompared to those produced by the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
\"It's getting more crucial for us at the DPD to show that our
\nstory is also newsworthy and that we are able to perform as a
\nneutral and effective mechanism of checks and balances,\" he said.<\/p>\n
A total of 128 non-partisan members of the DPD representing 32
\nprovinces were sworn in on Oct. 1 last year to fill out the new
\ninstitution, the creation of which was made possible by the third
\namendment of the 1945 Constitution to generate a better system of
\nchecks and balances.<\/p>\n
However, the DPD has no budget or legislative powers. It may
\nonly give recommendations on the contents of certain bills that
\nwill later be deliberated upon by the House and the Cabinet.<\/p>\n
It has a monitoring authority, which many say should be the
\nfocus of the DPD to show its healthy criticism in influencing
\ngovernment policy.<\/p>\n
\"I agree that we should prove our skill in this aspect, so the
\npublic has confidence in us. Thus, it would be easier to push for
\nan amendment to give us the other two powers,\" said La Ode.<\/p>\n
A similar view was voiced by Centre of Social and
\nInternational Studies researcher Indra J. Piliang and Center for
\nLaw and Policy Study director Bivitri Susanti.<\/p>\n
\"Monitoring power should now be its first test case to show
\nthat the DPD is worthy of existing. It needs to work harder to
\npublicize its work, not merely repeat what others have said or
\nhold meetings without concrete results,\" said Bivitri.<\/p>\n
Indra said the DPD must also be more unified and fight for the
\ninterests of all regions in Indonesia instead of each member
\nbeing busy with the interests of his or her own region.<\/p>\n
\"In addition, more innovations are expected from the DPD amid
\nits weakness in terms of power to prove that the state isn't
\nspending the budget on them for nothing,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The DPD received Rp 140 billion (US$13.59 million) for its
\n2005 operations. For 2006, it is expecting to receive some Rp 400
\nbillion.<\/p>\n
For its supervisory task, the DPD has four ad hoc committees
\n-- similar to House commissions -- to deal with various issues.<\/p>\n
The chance for another amendment of the Constitution may
\nremain far off due to looming reluctance from the House, but it
\nis still possible.<\/p>\n
\"We're working on it, particularly with party leaders hoping
\nthey can influence party members. But we're not going to strip
\naway any of the House's power, but instead to develop a healthy
\nparliamentary system,\" said La Ode.<\/p>\n
\"It's natural that those with powers are reluctant to share
\nthem, but I believe our friends at the House have statesman-like
\nqualities,\" he added.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dpd-still-struggles-for-existence-a-year-after-establisment-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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