What they people say about House members<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The general election we all celebrated, feared
\nand avoided will run its full course with installment of new
\nlegislators on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Most of us know House members merely by the list of names
\nprinted in the media, but many of us feel we know what to expect
\nfrom them in their conduct. The following are comments from
\npeople from all walks of life about the citizens chosen to
\nrepresent them.<\/p>\n
Tono, taxi driver: I think legislators need to be more
\nobjective in serving the people. For instance, look at the road
\nin Pondok Gede or the one near Taman Mini. A particular party
\nmade sure they were asphalted after they won in the election. But
\nthere is little development in the areas where they lost. I don't
\nneed to say which party, it is clear. Legislators need to listen
\nbetter to the voice of the ordinary people. That is their job,
\nisn't it?<\/p>\n
Wahid, soft drink vendor from East Java: If legislators get so
\nmuch money and perks, we can expect them to serve us better. They
\nshouldn't live in luxury and should be close to the people even
\nif they are loaded with money.<\/p>\n
Venna Melinda, 1994 Miss Indonesia and a television drama
\nactor: House members have a crucial function to channel the
\npublic's voice. But I know it is easier said than done.<\/p>\n
I saw people demonstrating at the House of Representatives on
\nTV and House members talked to them. It's good they responded.<\/p>\n
I think legislators have different ways to channel people's
\naspirations. Some are vocal, while others are quiet. What's
\nimportant is the result of their work.<\/p>\n
They should have a spirit of teamwork because it is not a one-
\nman show. They should do their best.<\/p>\n
Lulu, a model and TV presenter: House members must listen to
\npeople's complaints, discuss the complaints with involved parties
\nand settle the problems thoroughly. But this also depends on the
\nsystem, which I think needs improvement. They must side with the
\npeople. It seems to me many cases were handled halfheartedly.<\/p>\n
Anyone who becomes a legislator must have a genuine desire to
\nhelp people-- things they do must be for the people's sake, not
\nfor their popularity.<\/p>\n
I heard they receive this and that (gifts). Well, that's just
\npart of human nature. But I was annoyed. I just hope new members
\nwill be more sensitive to people's feelings.<\/p>\n
I would say that if someone feels they are not capable, or if
\nthey are not close to the people, then don't become a legislator.<\/p>\n
Sofyan Nasution, head of the public relations bureau of the
\nNorth Sumatra provincial administration: We hope the new
\nlegislators will play an increasing role as spokespeople for
\nprovinces outside Java...<\/p>\n
We also hope the legislators will further promote provinces
\noutside Java as good places for investment. This is very
\nimportant for us living outside Java. I think as representatives,
\nthey should pursue it as a way to shift more development
\nactivities into the provinces.<\/p>\n
I support them getting more privileges to facilitate their
\nfunction as the people's voice. But these should be acquired
\nlegally.<\/p>\n
In my observations in accompanying House members in their
\nworking visits to North Sumatra, all privileges are acquired
\nlegally. As far as I know, the North Sumatran provincial
\ngovernment has never given them illegal perks.<\/p>\n
Mochtar Pabottingi, political scientist, Indonesian Institute
\nof Science (LIPI): As long as members are not rooted (within
\ntheir constituency), it is difficult to expect them to speak for
\nthe people...They are dependent on above (the executive) and have
\nno moral or structural obligation to answer to the public. In a
\ndemocratic country they would be removed immediately once they
\nwere no longer liked.<\/p>\n
There is no need for wishful thinking, it's just like the
\ncorruption issue. As long as the party rules (in the recruitment
\nsystem) the individual members will have no freedom.<\/p>\n
As long as the recruitment is like now -- with 60 to 90
\npercent as appointed members -- I have no reason to be
\noptimistic. I am not talking of either the proportional or
\ndistrict system. Moreover, with the Indonesian Democratic Party
\nin such disarray, the composition is neither proportional nor
\nrepresentative.<\/p>\n
Apong Herlina, director of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute: We
\nmust be optimistic. Members now have the means to take more
\ninitiative (for proposing laws through consensus of just 10
\nlegislators from two factions instead of the former rule of
\nsupport of 20 legislators to forward an initiative). But the
\nbetter mechanism also means House members have to prepare
\nthemselves.<\/p>\n
The recent crash course for legislators was initiated by the
\ngovernment; the legislators should have their own human resources
\nprogram... They could also cooperate with universities and other
\ninstitutions.<\/p>\n
It was evident in bill deliberations that only a few were
\nexperts in the assigned fields, and their only concern was to
\nfinish a draft in a targeted period of time.<\/p>\n
Our highly-educated DPR members should realize their function
\nas representatives. That includes protecting the public,
\nparticularly vulnerable, less-informed people, from possible harm
\nthrough deliberation of laws.<\/p>\n
DPR members should, for instance, have been more sensitive in
\nthe deliberation of the Nuclear Power and Labor Law.<\/p>\n
Once they move to that lovely new building they should be even
\ncloser to the public. Before they were DPR members they could not
\nadvocate the public's needs on their own, but now they have
\nmillions of people behind them and all necessary facilities.<\/p>\n
When they visit the people they should not stay in hotels when
\nthey lack means, just stay with the people.<\/p>\n
Nicolas Simanjuntak, lawyer: The public will demand that
\nfuture legislators improve the quality of life, make a more
\npleasant and freer environment to create and do things, ensure
\nimplementation of norms and guarantee justice.<\/p>\n
Oka Mahendra, outgoing member of Golkar faction and consultant
\nat a law firm: In future I hope there will be no more cases of
\nthings such as the request for door prizes. Even if they (my
\ncolleagues) dubbed it as only part of a farewell event, or
\nwhatever name, it is unacceptable. Others say it is a normal
\npractice. I say good habits can be continued, and unfavorable
\nones should stop.<\/p>\n
Membership in the House is an honorary position, therefore
\nmembers should guard the House image. They should not receive
\nanything from anyone. They are not allowed to even ask for
\nanything. They are bound by the vow they take when they are
\ninstalled.<\/p>\n
Even if the faction does not receive complaints from parties
\nfrom who members have requested privileges, I say this is a moral
\nissue. If anyone asks me for money, for instance, I just say so
\nif I don't have enough...The people will understand, what's
\nimportant is that we have listened to them and will take their
\nconcerns to the government.<\/p>\n
Regarding out-of-town visits by commission members, the daily
\nallowance of barely Rp 200,000 is not enough for hotel
\naccommodation, and all this time we have had our hotels paid for.<\/p>\n
I feel uncomfortable about this. Because we are assisted (in
\nexpenses for the visits) we feel it is not proper to ask whether
\nthe local authorities really asked for a budget enough to cover
\nour visit, or whether they asked for much more.<\/p>\n
That is why the budget for visits should be increased so
\nlegislators don't make up excuses. There should be better budget
\ndiscipline and have only one source, the DPR, which issues
\nspending for members' visits. The local authorities and other
\nparties should not be burdened to make extra expenses.<\/p>\n
Why do members resort to asking for things? It is not because
\nthey're desperate. It depends on motivation of members, and
\nwhether they entered the House to represent the people or to seek
\nfame and fortune. (team)<\/p>",
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