Experts call for equal powers for DPR, DPD<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Although the nation has officially adopted a bicameral
\nparliamentary system, the authority of the Regional
\nRepresentatives Council (DPD) is less powerful than that of the
\nHouse of Representatives (DPR).<\/p>\n
Under the bill on the composition of the People's Consultative
\nAssembly (MPR), DPR, DPD and the Provincial and Regional
\nLegislative Bodies (DPRD), which the government plans to submit
\nlater this month, DPD plays a peripheral role in terms of
\nlegislation.<\/p>\n
The bill, for example, states that DPD has the right to submit
\nbills to the House, especially those bills related to regional
\nautonomy, relations between the central and regional
\nadministrations, establishment of new administrations, natural
\nresource management, and the fiscal balance.<\/p>\n
DPD may also submit inputs to DPR regarding the state budget
\nand bills on taxation, education and religion. All inputs should
\nbe submitted to DPR before it starts deliberations with
\ngovernment officials.<\/p>\n
Under such a hierarchical scheme, DPD's power and authority
\nwould be much less than those of DPR.<\/p>\n
Constitutional expert Harun Alrasyid on Tuesday called the new
\nsystem as "uncommon", and urged that it should be revised.<\/p>\n
"That (bicameral) system must be revised in the future. It is
\nan abnormal system," Harun told The Jakarta Post here on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
A joint session between DPR and DPD would create the MPR
\nwhich, under the new system, is no longer a permanent body.<\/p>\n
The bicameral system, as legislators call it, gives an unequal
\nshare of power to DPD and DPR, with DPR claiming a greater role
\nthan DPD. Harun said that DPD and DPR must have equal power.<\/p>\n
According to Harun, the system revealed that legislators were
\nunwilling to share power with their fellow legislators in DPD,
\nwhile also indicating that DPR wanted to maintain sole influence
\nover national politics.<\/p>\n
Jimly Ashiddiqie, however, defended the system, calling the
\nnew system a "soft bicameral system".<\/p>\n
"This system is common in unitary states. While many
\nfederalistic states adopt the pure bicameral system, unitary
\nstates generally take to a soft bicameral system," Jimly told the
\nPost.<\/p>\n
Jimly said that although DPD had a weaker role in legislation
\nthan DPR, its role in supervising the government would be equal
\nto the DPR.<\/p>\n
"DPD has the power to supervise the government in carrying out
\npolicies related to regional issues," he added.<\/p>\n
He called on the people not to be antipathetic towards the new
\nsystem, and suggested instead to monitor its application.
\nMeanwhile, he admitted that DPD would be more trustworthy than
\nDPR, because members of the DPD have no affiliation with
\npolitical parties.<\/p>\n
Harun and Jimly agreed that the creation of the new system was
\nbased more on political compromises than on an effort to set up a
\ncomprehensive system.<\/p>\n
The bill was drafted to replace extant Law No.4\/1999, which
\nbecame void and null after the amendment of the 1945 Constitution
\nin August last year.<\/p>\n
The draft law defines DPD as a regional representatives
\ncouncil which strives for the aspiration and the interest of
\nregions. The draft also stipulates that the number of DPD members
\nwill not exceed one-third the number of DPR members.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/experts-call-for-equal-powers-for-dpr-dpd-1447893297",
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