DPR members lack dynamism

Now that the people have elected a new president and a vice president and the new Cabinet has been sworn in, all political activities should shift from the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to the House of Representatives (DPR), if democracy is to function properly and in accordance with democratic ethics.

What we have witnessed in the actual performance of the legislative body has so far been rather disappointing (with the exception perhaps of the abolition of the ministry of information and ministry of social affairs).

Every member of the Cabinet is accountable for his or her policies and actions so that in theory at least it can pass a vote of no confidence in the whole Cabinet or in single members. In the Netherlands, the entire cabinet resigned when a government proposal to raise the price of milk by one cent a liter was rejected by both chambers of parliament.

The present "National Unity" coalition government fulfills all the requirements of democratic tradition but it still is showing a lack of spiritual harmony to function as a cohesive unit to be able to face charges from the legislative flank not to mention attacks by extra-parliamentary forces.

I could only shake my head when the American ambassador to Indonesia conveyed in confidence certain matters, concerning a high ranking authority, which were leaked to the media by the MPR Speaker Amien Rais and no formal debate was initiated in the most proper place i.e. the MPR. Instead, the whirlwind hit the streets and newspapers' columns.

When President Abdurrahman Wahid suggested there was no harm in trading with the state of Israel as such a deal would benefit this country, the furor was motivated by religious rather than democratic considerations. It is correct in a political and democratic sense that the MPR has taken up the issue by requesting the head of state to explain his controversial proposal to the legislators.

A delicate situation may shortly be faced by the minister in charge of energy if he is to deal with the increase of state electricity tariffs as proposed by the chief of the state electricity company, if the case is brought before the House.

It is amazing now that the House members are reacting so slowly to controversial issues that more arguments are heard on the streets and not within the walls of the House.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta