House OKs power bill despite poor attendance

A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Despite frequent public criticism for often being absent during House of Representatives key meetings, lawmakers still disregard complaints.

This negligence almost caused another unnecessary delay in the approval of the long-awaited electricity bill during a plenary session on Wednesday because many of the lawmakers left the session early.

The approval of the bill is a crucial step to lure more investment into the country's power sector and avoid power shortages in the future.

Some 264 legislators initially turned up at the session, chaired by House Deputy Speaker A.M. Fatwa from the Reform Faction.

Nine factions of the House took turns to deliver their final say on the proposed power bill.

While almost all factions gave their approval, certain outspoken lawmakers expressed strong objections to the bill. Some individuals from the Ummat Sovereignty Faction argued that the bill would be harmful to the public because it liberalizes the power sector.

Three members from Golkar Faction also walked out of the session, namely Haryadi Achmad, Sarwoko and Husni Thamrin.

Triggered by such moves, debate over the benefit of the power bill to the people intensified.

The situation changed when the lawmakers were about to make a decision. They suddenly realized that they did not have a quorum as only some 102 members were left, while the session needed the presence of 132 legislators for a quorum.

"Some Golkar members were absent as they were attending Akbar Tandjung's trial as a show of support," Husni Thamrin, a legislator from Golkar Party, said.

The situation prompted some lawmakers to call for another delay in the approval of the bill.

However, after more than half an hour break, 157 House members turned up at the crucial time to vote in the session.

According to Fatwa, some lawmakers were called by fellow legislators to go back to the session during the break.

Legislators have a bad habit here of only showing up at the beginning of House meetings.

The electricity bill was finally approved by the House at 3 p.m. with acclamation.