Bodies to discuss political bills

Bodies to discuss political bills

JAKARTA: The House of Representatives (DPR) set up on Monday two special committees assigned to deliberate long-awaited bills on political parties and general elections.

At a plenary meeting presided over by deputy House Speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno, legislators unanimously agreed upon the membership of the committees.

Each of the committees will comprise 50 legislators, who will work separately on the political party and general elections bills.

Soetardjo said the committees would start working on the bills only after the steering committee (Bamus) had arranged the schedule.

"The committees should elect their chairpersons themselves," he said.

The nation has been awaiting revision of the political bills in readiness for the general election in 2004. -- JP