House 'to focus on' legislative function<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): House Speaker Akbar Tandjung pledged that the
\nHouse of Representatives in 2001 would focus on its legislative
\nfunction to deliberate on about 80 bills already submitted by the
\ngovernment and review numerous out-of-date laws.<\/p>\n
\"The House has paid attention to its three main functions, but
\nit will give more emphasis on its legislative function in its
\nnext sitting to deliberate on a number of bills which are
\nurgently needed to push for a better political and economic
\ncondition in the country,\" Akbar told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Political observers have criticized the House for putting to
\nmuch emphasis on its control function of the executive body thus
\nsacrificing the deliberation of bills.<\/p>\n
Akbar said the current House, which was formed in October
\n1999, had passed 40 laws and reviewed four others but there are
\nstill some 80 draft laws on politics, labor and the economy that
\nhave yet to be studied.<\/p>\n
\"To be fair, the House has been performing its legislative
\nfunction as it has passed 40 laws over the last 16 months.
\nHowever, the House can also understand the public's criticism
\nbecause we have a so many bills that urgently need to be passed,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Akbar noted that the House had its hands full this year with
\nthe annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly, the
\nmany major national crisis along with the deliberation on the
\n2000 and the 2001 state budgets.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Zain Badjeber, chairman of the legislative
\ncommittee, also noted that one reason why the committee had not
\nworked effectively was due to the numerous tasks which the House
\nhad to undertake.<\/p>\n
\"This year, the House set up at least five special committees
\nand some their members are from the legislative committee. As a
\nresult the committee's routine meetings had been frequently
\npostponed because they did not have the required quorum,\" he
\nsaid. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-to-focus-on-legislative-function-1447893297",
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