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