Amien exhorts House to remain critical of govt

Amien exhorts House to remain critical of govt

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Former speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Amien
Rais called on the House of Representatives on Monday to maintain
its critical attitude toward the new government in order to bring
about positive changes in the country.

"If the government keeps on giving promises to people about
what it will do in its first 100 days, the House must remain
critical until the government takes concrete action," Amien said
during the launch of a book written by House Speaker Agung
Laksono here on Monday.

The book launch was also attended by President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono, businessman William Soeryadjaya, numerous politicians
and Muslim preacher Abdullah Gymnastiar.

Amien suggested that the House, under the leadership of Agung,
could improve its role in lawmaking and budget drafting.

The House has become a target of criticism following a
crippling power struggle among party factions almost immediately
after legislators were sworn in on Oct. 1.

The struggle for power delayed bill deliberations and other
necessary business. House members went on recess on Dec. 11 and
will not come back until Jan. 7. They still have not begun
deliberation on any bills.

Amien, who promised to relinquish his post of leader of the
National Mandate Party (PAN) in February, said that he hoped
there would be better relations between the House and the
government in the future.

Meanwhile, President Susilo said that he hoped the House
members would truly live up to their titles as representatives of
the people. He added there must be good relations between the
government and the House.

"The House must carry out effective supervision of the
government's policies, otherwise the nation will be at a
disadvantage," he stated.

Susilo said that the constituents of the President, the House,
and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) were the same
people, and so all must carry out their duties in accordance with
the Constitution.

"Please, my fellow legislators, you need to continue the
supervisory role of the government, so we can make improvements,"
Susilo said.