House defends its legislative record<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
In the face of frequent criticism and public distrust, the House
\nof Representatives (DPR) reported some progress it had made over
\nthe past year.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the Annual Session of the People's Consultative
\nAssembly (MPR) on Friday, House Speaker Akbar Tandjung focused on
\nthe legislative body's check-and-balance role.<\/p>\n
\"Besides deliberating and endorsing the annual budget proposed
\nby the executive body, the House has closely supervised the
\ngovernment and its policies to help develop good governance,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Akbar admitted that the House had achieved less in its
\nlegislative function, since it failed to reach its target to
\nendorse the more than 100 bills submitted by the government. He
\ndownplayed the House's poor legislative performance, saying it
\nhad nothing to do with the improvement in the supervisory
\nfunction.<\/p>\n
Out of 68 bills deliberated between August 2002 and July 2003,
\nonly 38 were endorsed. Among the 38 were 14 bills on the
\nformation of new regencies, which do not require much energy nor
\ntime.<\/p>\n
The House has been under fire over its controversial
\nleadership and several endorsed bills that have sparked protests
\nfrom the public.<\/p>\n
Many legislators and political observers have strongly urged
\nAkbar to step down after the Central Jakarta District Court
\nhanded down a three-year sentence for his involvement in a Rp 40
\nbillion (US$4.8 million) graft case. The High Court confirmed the
\nverdict, and Akbar is now awaiting a Supreme Court decision on
\nhis appeal.<\/p>\n
The House has been also criticized for the controversial laws
\non national education, on presidential election and on
\ncomposition of the MPR, House, provincial and regental
\nlegislatures.<\/p>\n
The National Education Law sparked a string of protests from
\nnon-Muslim schools, since under the law, they are required to
\nrecruit religious teachers to provide classes on all
\ndenominations represented by their student bodies, including
\nMuslim teachers to teach Islam to Muslim students.<\/p>\n
The Presidential Election Law allows those who have been
\nsentenced to a maximum five years' imprisonment to run for
\npresident, meaning a criminal can vie for the presidency.
\nMeanwhile, the law on MPR, DPR and provincial and regental
\nlegislatures gives too much power to the House.<\/p>\n
In regards on the planned termination of the International
\nMonetary Fund (IMF) program at the end of the year, Akbar said
\nHouse Commission IX for finance had consulted the executive team
\nas to the exit strategy.<\/p>\n
\"Further discussion will be made after the government presents
\nthe draft state budget to the House in mid-August,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-defends-its-legislative-record-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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