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