House defends its legislative record

House defends its legislative record

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In the face of frequent criticism and public distrust, the House
of Representatives (DPR) reported some progress it had made over
the past year.

Speaking at the Annual Session of the People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR) on Friday, House Speaker Akbar Tandjung focused on
the legislative body's check-and-balance role.

"Besides deliberating and endorsing the annual budget proposed
by the executive body, the House has closely supervised the
government and its policies to help develop good governance," he
said.

Akbar admitted that the House had achieved less in its
legislative function, since it failed to reach its target to
endorse the more than 100 bills submitted by the government. He
downplayed the House's poor legislative performance, saying it
had nothing to do with the improvement in the supervisory
function.

Out of 68 bills deliberated between August 2002 and July 2003,
only 38 were endorsed. Among the 38 were 14 bills on the
formation of new regencies, which do not require much energy nor
time.

The House has been under fire over its controversial
leadership and several endorsed bills that have sparked protests
from the public.

Many legislators and political observers have strongly urged
Akbar to step down after the Central Jakarta District Court
handed down a three-year sentence for his involvement in a Rp 40
billion (US$4.8 million) graft case. The High Court confirmed the
verdict, and Akbar is now awaiting a Supreme Court decision on
his appeal.

The House has been also criticized for the controversial laws
on national education, on presidential election and on
composition of the MPR, House, provincial and regental
legislatures.

The National Education Law sparked a string of protests from
non-Muslim schools, since under the law, they are required to
recruit religious teachers to provide classes on all
denominations represented by their student bodies, including
Muslim teachers to teach Islam to Muslim students.

The Presidential Election Law allows those who have been
sentenced to a maximum five years' imprisonment to run for
president, meaning a criminal can vie for the presidency.
Meanwhile, the law on MPR, DPR and provincial and regental
legislatures gives too much power to the House.

In regards on the planned termination of the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) program at the end of the year, Akbar said
House Commission IX for finance had consulted the executive team
as to the exit strategy.

"Further discussion will be made after the government presents
the draft state budget to the House in mid-August," he said.