DPD still struggles for existence a year after establisment

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.