DPD to have less power than DPR

DPD to have less power than DPR

JAKARTA: The Regional Representatives Council (DPD) will be
prevented from disrupting the decision making process in the
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), a legislator says.

Yahya Zaini said his Golkar faction would suggest that the
bill on the composition of legislative bodies now being
deliberated should not give the DPD power that matched that of
the House of Representatives regarding the decision making
process in the MPR.

Article 13 (3) of the bill states that the Assembly session is
valid if it is attended by at least three-quarters of MPR members
in deliberating key issues like impeachment of the president.

The article does not specifically mention whether the quorum
requires the presence of both DPR and DPD members.

DPR has 550 members and DPD 150 members. The two legislative
bodies form the MPR, which will convene at least once a year.

The article means an MPR session can proceed if it is
sponsored solely by the House, regardless of the absence of DPD
members. -- JP