Jakarta representatives propose joint secretariat<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The four members of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD)
\nfrom Jakarta will propose to the city administration the
\nestablishment of a joint secretariat to serve them in responding
\nto constituents wishing to voice views or complaints.<\/p>\n
Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, one of the four representatives who
\ngarnered the most votes in the April 5 election, said there was
\nas yet no regulation providing funding for the DPD members from
\neach of the 32 provinces, or regulating how they should go about
\ntheir work.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, we need a legal basis, such as a bylaw, for the
\nestablishment of a secretariat,\" he told The Jakarta Post on
\nThursday, saying that the four DPD members would soon meet with
\nGovernor Sutiyoso to discuss the issue.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPU Jakarta) has
\nconfirmed the election of the four Jakarta representatives to the
\nDPD, a new legislative body. They were among 38 candidates who
\nstood in the election.<\/p>\n
Besides Sarwono, who is a former minister, the three other DPD
\nmembers are cosmetics entrepreneur Mooryati Soedibyo, radio
\npersonality Biem Triani Benjamin, and former Indosat executive
\nMarwan Batubara.<\/p>\n
Sarwono argued that such secretariat was essential for the DPD
\nmembers in the performance of their work as, according to the
\nlaw, they are only given the chance to hold a meeting once per
\nyear during their five-year terms.<\/p>\n
\"Each of us have our own way of delivering what our voters
\nwant in the DPD, but we also need to maintain relations and
\ncommunications between us, as well as with our respective voters
\nin an informal way,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The DPD and House of Representatives will jointly constitute
\nthe People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the highest legislative
\ninstitution in the country.<\/p>\n
The amended 1945 Constitution entrusts DPD members with the
\nright to initiate legislation on regional autonomy, relations
\nbetween the central and regional administrations, the
\nestablishment of autonomous regions, resource management and
\nrevenue-sharing between the central and regional administrations.<\/p>\n
The DPD, however, has been given no decisive function in the
\nlaw-making process as its members will not be involved in the
\nfinal deliberation of bills.<\/p>\n
Therefore, Sarwono said, enlarging the functions and powers of
\nthe DPD would be the main task of all its members, with priority
\nbeing focused on the amendment of the 1945 Constitution and
\nrelevant legislation.<\/p>\n
The laws that the four DPD members considered as being in need
\nof revision included Law No. 34\/1999 on the special capital
\ndistrict of Jakarta, and the regional autonomy laws.<\/p>\n
Sarwono, however, refused to give details of which aspects of
\nthese laws needed to be overhauled, saying this was the task of
\nconstitutional law experts.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jakarta-representatives-propose-joint-secretariat-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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