House OKs power bill despite poor attendance<\/p>\n
A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Despite frequent public criticism for often being absent
\nduring House of Representatives key meetings, lawmakers still
\ndisregard complaints.<\/p>\n
This negligence almost caused another unnecessary delay in the
\napproval of the long-awaited electricity bill during a plenary
\nsession on Wednesday because many of the lawmakers left the
\nsession early.<\/p>\n
The approval of the bill is a crucial step to lure more
\ninvestment into the country's power sector and avoid power
\nshortages in the future.<\/p>\n
Some 264 legislators initially turned up at the session,
\nchaired by House Deputy Speaker A.M. Fatwa from the Reform
\nFaction.<\/p>\n
Nine factions of the House took turns to deliver their final
\nsay on the proposed power bill.<\/p>\n
While almost all factions gave their approval, certain
\noutspoken lawmakers expressed strong objections to the bill.
\nSome individuals from the Ummat Sovereignty Faction argued that
\nthe bill would be harmful to the public because it liberalizes
\nthe power sector.<\/p>\n
Three members from Golkar Faction also walked out of the
\nsession, namely Haryadi Achmad, Sarwoko and Husni Thamrin.<\/p>\n
Triggered by such moves, debate over the benefit of the power
\nbill to the people intensified.<\/p>\n
The situation changed when the lawmakers were about to make a
\ndecision. They suddenly realized that they did not have a quorum
\nas only some 102 members were left, while the session needed the
\npresence of 132 legislators for a quorum.<\/p>\n
\"Some Golkar members were absent as they were attending Akbar
\nTandjung's trial as a show of support,\" Husni Thamrin, a
\nlegislator from Golkar Party, said.<\/p>\n
The situation prompted some lawmakers to call for another
\ndelay in the approval of the bill.<\/p>\n
However, after more than half an hour break, 157 House members
\nturned up at the crucial time to vote in the session.<\/p>\n
According to Fatwa, some lawmakers were called by fellow
\nlegislators to go back to the session during the break.<\/p>\n
Legislators have a bad habit here of only showing up at the
\nbeginning of House meetings.<\/p>\n
The electricity bill was finally approved by the House at 3
\np.m. with acclamation.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-oks-power-bill-despite-poor-attendance-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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