DPD irked over House aloofness

JAKARTA: The Regional Representatives Council (DPD) has accused the House of Representatives of once again failing to acknowledge its presence by not taking into account its opinion over the revised 2005 state budget.

The budget revision was enacted into law late last month.

Chairman of the DPD committee for finance Ruslan Wijaya said on Thursday the failure was further proof of how the House underestimated the new legislative body, which was established late last year.

House members have been reluctant to support a request by the DPD to give the body similar powers in enacting laws. At present, the DPD can only give an opinion on bills regarding the state budget, tax, education and religious affairs. -- JP