DPR must not act like Pilate

DPR must not act like Pilate

The recent demonstrations and protests against the increases in fuel, electricity and telephone charges -- which have led to knock-on increases in the prices of staple foods and other basic commodities -- represent a very serious problem.

It is no wonder that many people are seeking the best solution for dealing with this problem. People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais has also voiced his opinions in this regard.

He has supported the "Caucus to Rescue the Country", which has been set up by a number of politicians from the House of Representatives (DPR). He has also proposed that the government meet with the House to review the recently announced government policies.

The establishment of this Caucus reflects both House members' desire for confrontation (with the government) and their efforts to wash their hands of the problem, loading all the adverse results of the controversial decisions made by the government and approved by the House onto the shoulders of the government.

Amien's proposal for a meeting between the House and the executive sounds rational and acceptable. To blame the Megawati Soekarnoputri administration alone for the problem is not fair, as the decision to increase fuel, electricity and telephone charges was approved by the House before being made public. If the decision is found to be legally defective, then the House should also be held responsible for this.

The House should not pretend to have been surprised to hear about the increases in the price of goods following the hike in fuel, electricity and telephone charges.

-- Koran Tempo, Jakarta