DPD still struggles for existence a year after establisment
Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
It is still difficult to claim that Indonesia has a true bicameral legislature with its seemingly weak "senate", which has done nothing significant in nearly a year since it was first set up.
The Regional Representatives Council (DPD), which some pundits have described as being akin to the U.S. Senate, but without the power to prevent a law's passage, has been struggling to dodge the flaming arrows of critics -- who say it ought to be abolished -- but little else.
"Perhaps it's indeed because what we do or say is without any power, that most of what we do is limited to giving input or recommendations," said outspoken DPD deputy La Ode Ida on Friday.
He admitted that the DPD had yet to make a significant contribution to the state, but assured the public that in time it would manage to solidify its existence.
La Ode said one way to make its voice heard was by producing responses or ideas on policy that were novel and breakthrough compared to those produced by the House of Representatives.
"It's getting more crucial for us at the DPD to show that our story is also newsworthy and that we are able to perform as a neutral and effective mechanism of checks and balances," he said.
A total of 128 non-partisan members of the DPD representing 32 provinces were sworn in on Oct. 1 last year to fill out the new institution, the creation of which was made possible by the third amendment of the 1945 Constitution to generate a better system of checks and balances.
However, the DPD has no budget or legislative powers. It may only give recommendations on the contents of certain bills that will later be deliberated upon by the House and the Cabinet.
It has a monitoring authority, which many say should be the focus of the DPD to show its healthy criticism in influencing government policy.
"I agree that we should prove our skill in this aspect, so the public has confidence in us. Thus, it would be easier to push for an amendment to give us the other two powers," said La Ode.
A similar view was voiced by Centre of Social and International Studies researcher Indra J. Piliang and Center for Law and Policy Study director Bivitri Susanti.
"Monitoring power should now be its first test case to show that the DPD is worthy of existing. It needs to work harder to publicize its work, not merely repeat what others have said or hold meetings without concrete results," said Bivitri.
Indra said the DPD must also be more unified and fight for the interests of all regions in Indonesia instead of each member being busy with the interests of his or her own region.
"In addition, more innovations are expected from the DPD amid its weakness in terms of power to prove that the state isn't spending the budget on them for nothing," he said.
The DPD received Rp 140 billion (US$13.59 million) for its 2005 operations. For 2006, it is expecting to receive some Rp 400 billion.
For its supervisory task, the DPD has four ad hoc committees -- similar to House commissions -- to deal with various issues.
The chance for another amendment of the Constitution may remain far off due to looming reluctance from the House, but it is still possible.
"We're working on it, particularly with party leaders hoping they can influence party members. But we're not going to strip away any of the House's power, but instead to develop a healthy parliamentary system," said La Ode.
"It's natural that those with powers are reluctant to share them, but I believe our friends at the House have statesman-like qualities," he added.