Assembly set to endorse bicameral system

Assembly set to endorse bicameral system

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Voices from outlying areas, from Irian Jaya in the extreme
east to Aceh in the west, may be heard more easily in far away
Jakarta, hopefully in the foreseeable future.

That will happen if the current session of the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) endorses the establishment of a
Regional Representatives Council (DPD).

The establishment of the Council would also mean a major
transformation of the current, undefined parliamentary system
into a bicameral system.

Under the bicameral system, all MPR members would be elected.
Currently, only MPR members representing political parties are
elected. Those from the armed forces, regional representatives
and interest groups are all appointees.

So if the council does come into being, voters in the 2004
general elections will have to cast their votes on a ballot paper
bearing five boxes, one each for the political party, president,
House of Representatives, local Legislative Council and DPD.

Legislators say that all factions in the MPR have given in-
principle support to the establishment of the DPD.

Under the envisioned bicameral system, the Assembly would
comprise the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional
Representatives Council.

Agun Gunandjar Sudarsa, a legislator from the Golkar Party,
said that politicians still differed over the technicalities. For
example, some were trying to retain the interest groups in the
Assembly.

"We believe that a strong and accountable parliament will only
materialize if the bicameral system is applied," Agun added.

As a legislative body, the DPD would be granted three
functions. Like the House, the DPD would have roles to perform in
the areas of legislation, supervision and budget deliberation.

However, those functions would only be applicable to issues
relating to regional affairs, such as the implementation of
autonomy, regional resources, and relations between the regional
and the central administrations.

"Members of the DPD would have no voting rights. They would
only have the right to provide inputs to the House," Agun said.

A member of the United Development Party (PPP), Zain Badjeber,
said that the DPD would have a limited function, mainly
concerning deliberation on issues relating to regional affairs.

The number of regional representatives from all provinces is
equal and the maximum number of regional representatives is one-
third of the total House members.

A legislator from the Crescent Star Party, Hamdan Zoelva, said
that, similar to the House, the DPD would have permanent offices
in Jakarta.

"But, I think most of the activities of the DPD members would
be in their own hometowns. They would come here for meetings,"
Imam added.

The Regional Representatives Council (DPD) would convene at
least once a year.

While members represent their political parties, the regional
representatives would focus on the aspirations of people in their
constituencies.

"It is hoped that the existence of the DPD would strengthen
national unity because its members would be involved in the
lawmaking process in Jakarta," Imam told the Post.

"We believe that a strong and accountable parliament will only
materialize if the bicameral system is applied."

-- Agun Gunandjar Sudarsa