MPR to hold president accountable each year<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
After having second thoughts, legislators of the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR) voted yesterday for the president to
\ngive an accountability speech every year.<\/p>\n
They argued that holding the president accountable on an
\nannual basis was a better form of supervision of the government,
\neven though some critics have said it is a waste of money.<\/p>\n
Amin Said Husni, chairman of Assembly Commission D in charge
\nof debating the issue, said that at least until next year, the
\nannual session would still take place.<\/p>\n
The decision will be taken to the Assembly's plenary session
\non Thursday for approval.<\/p>\n
\"We don't know if the ruling will still apply in 2003,\" Amin
\ntold reporters.<\/p>\n
Some critics have urged the Assembly to scrap its annual
\nmeeting as it has lost its urgency, given that the House of
\nRepresentatives functions well in supervising the government.<\/p>\n
They propose that the funds allocated for the session could be
\nused to help needy people. The current session is costing Rp 18
\nbillion in taxpayers' money.<\/p>\n
Among those who disagree with an annual session is Golkar
\nParty chairman Akbar Tandjung. He said on Monday that the session
\nwas inefficient and spent a lot of money and energy that
\nIndonesia needed to recover from the economic crisis.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mpr-to-hold-president-accountable-each-year-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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