Does DPR still represent people?

Does DPR still represent people?

From Media Indonesia

Only the government is ever blamed for increases in fuel
prices. In fact, the government cannot increase fuel prices
unless its proposal to this effect gains the approval of the
House of Representatives (DPR). Before making a decision on a
government proposal, the DPR must take into account the interests
of the people it represents. It is for this reason that the
people agree to take part in the general election and pay taxes,
some of the proceeds of which will be spent on the salaries of
the legislators.

Unfortunately, the people have seen their hopes dashed into
pieces as the members of the DPR clearly do not fight for popular
aspirations. When the government expressed the wish to postpone
fuel price hikes, for example, a legislator from the Golkar
Party, in a very unwisely manner, strongly opposed this idea,
arguing that any postponement would trigger restlessness. The
reality is in fact the other way around. Fuel price hikes have
sparked unrest throughout the country, including on the campuses
of IAIN Jakarta and Mercu Buana University recently.

So, what is the use of a DPR if it no longer wants to
represent the people and if it appears to be more enthusiastic to
conspire with the government to cause a worsening plight for the
people? Since days long gone, there have always been differences
in interests between the government and the people. Hence the
establishment of a legislature. The DPR, therefore, is expected
to represent the people and fight for their interests, especially
when popular interests run counter to the interests of the
government. Today it is obvious that the people have wrongly
chosen their representatives and therefore have to bear the
brunt, a fact that may be verified in a referendum.

So, if the People's Consultative Assembly feels it is right
for it to convene a special session because of electing the wrong
person as president, logically, the people enjoy the right for a
referendum or a repeat general election to elect their real
representatives, people better able to fight for their
aspirations and interests.

It is now the turn of constitutional experts to say something
about this. Please do not just keep quiet.

SUKANTO

Jakarta