Experts call for power balance between DPD, DPR<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Constitutional experts criticized the limited power given to the
\nRegional Representatives Council (DPD), saying it will only
\nconfuse the main purpose of the bicameral system.<\/p>\n
They said the absence of a balance of power between the House
\nof Representatives (DPR) and the DPD reflected the country's
\nhalf-hearted support for the bicameral system.<\/p>\n
\"The DPD has been relegated to a weaker position than the DPR
\nor simply as an auxiliary body to the DPR. DPD is totally unfit
\nto represent the country's regions,\" Mukthie Fadjar of the
\nBrawijaya University (Unibraw) told a discussion here on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Fellow expert Solly Lubis from North Sumatra University (USU)
\nadded that the bicameral system newly adopted by Indonesia
\nbreached the common practice applied in countries where both
\nbodies, DPR and DPD, share equal power.<\/p>\n
\"DPD looks like another Regional Representatives Faction at
\nMPR (the People's Consultative Assembly),\" Solly said, referring
\nto the faction at MPR whose members were elected by provincial
\nlegislatures.<\/p>\n
Both experts called on legislators and politicians to review
\nthe status of the DPD and urged the endorsement of a law that
\nempowers the council.<\/p>\n
Mukthie and Solly were commenting on articles in the amended
\n1945 Constitution and the bill on the composition of the
\nlegislative bodies.<\/p>\n
Articles in those legislations stipulate that members of the
\nDPD must not exceed one-third of the House members. On the bill
\nof the composition of the legislature, members of the House will
\nbe raised to 550.<\/p>\n
Some legislators propose that each of 31 provinces be
\nrepresented by four people in the DPD, with the total number of
\nDPD members reaching 124 people.<\/p>\n
In terms of political power, DPD members will be defeated
\nanytime a motion is voted on.<\/p>\n
DPD will have authority in legislation, budget discussion,
\nsupervision of government policies and an advisory role in bill
\ndeliberation by the DPR.<\/p>\n
Despite the legislative power, DPD's role is limited to the
\ndiscussion of bills relating to regional autonomy and regional
\nresources management.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile Sri Soemantri Martosoewignjo from Padjadjaran
\nUniversity said he hoped the formation of DPD would not affect
\nnational integrity.<\/p>\n
Soemantri, who is a professor in constitutional law, suggested
\nthat DPD articulate the aspirations of regions without
\nthreatening the unitary state of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The bill on the composition of the legislative bodies, which
\nalso regulates the existence of the DPD, has been submitted to
\nthe House, but legislators have not began deliberation on it.<\/p>\n
The bill, along with bills on elections, political parties,
\nand presidential elections, is a crucial legislation for the
\nupcoming elections in 2004.<\/p>",
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