House commissions start work, finally

House commissions start work, finally

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Amid the ongoing internal scuffle and criticism of their idleness
after a month in office, members of the House of Representatives
made official visits and met with the public.

A 17-strong House delegation linked to the People's Coalition
and representing Commission V on transportation and public works
visited Senen station in Central Jakarta.

Leader of the delegation, Azrul Azwar of the United
Development Party (PPP) faction, said the legislators were there
to check on preparations by state railway company PT KAI to
accommodate the thousands of holiday revelers who will travel to
their hometowns this month.

In a similar move, 16 House members from the People's
Coalition grouped under Commission VII on energy traveled to
several locations across Jakarta and West Java province to
inspect power lines operated by the state electricity company
PLN.

Commission leader Idris Lutfi said they were checking the
power supply in anticipation of a peak in demand over Idul Fitri
holiday, which falls on Nov. 15.

After stopping by PLN facilities, the lawmakers headed toward
storage facilities belonging to state oil and gas company
Pertamina in Kramat Raya, Central Jakarta.

Commission member Irwan Prayitno of the Prosperous Justice
Party (PKS) faction said Pertamina should take severe measures
against employees and suppliers who stockpiled fuel for their own
gains and at the expense of consumers.

Separately, lawmakers of the rival Nationhood Coalition
representing Commission VI on trade and industry paid a visit to
gift hamper/parcel vendors in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, who
said they were facing a slump in sales following a call from the
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) that state officials
should not receive gifts in a professional capacity.

Delegation leader Khofifah Indar Parawansa of the National
Awakening Party (PKB) said the commission would write to Governor
Sutiyoso and the KPK to heed the vendors' plight.

At the House, Commission III for law, autonomy and human
rights held a hearing with the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW),
Transparency International Indonesia (TII) and ProPatria research
group.

Presided over by commission chairman Agustin Teras Narang, the
hearing discussed efforts to curb corruption in the bureaucracy.

Anung Karyadi of TII called on lawmakers to begin deliberating
bills on the right to information and witness protection, as they
would boost transparency, which was a major factor in the fight
against corruption.

ICW deputy director Luky Djani suggested that legislators
quickly follow up all feedback from the public, as most public
input on alleged corruption involving state officials fell on a
deaf ear.

At the end of his presentation, ProPatria's Hari Prihatono
suggested that legislators sit down and settle the internal
conflict.

Since their induction on Oct. 1, House members have been
deeply divided over the electoral mechanism for the chairmanship
of its commissions and five auxiliary bodies. The conflict has
raised concerns and criticisms that the House is headed toward
virtual paralysis.