House to deliberate 22 bills in 3 months

JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives opened its 2001 session on Monday with a conviction to focus more on its legislative duties targeting the deliberation of 22 bills in the next three months.

"The House is expected to complete 17 bills submitted by the government and five others it has proposed, during the third sitting period that ends in April," House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said during the opening plenary meeting.

"Of the 17 bills submitted by the government, three will have priority to be completed as soon as possible," he added.

"The three bills concern the central bank, labor protection and settlement of industrial disputes."

The House has come under strong criticism from observers claiming that its legislative duties have been bogged down due to various political crusades against the executive.

In the past 17-months the House has passed 40 laws, with some 80 draft bills still pending.

Among those likely to get critical attention in the next few months are a bill on the establishment of a Riau Archipelagic province and another on the presidency.

Scandal

While there was a pronounced commitment to prioritize the deliberation of pending bills, Akbar nevertheless asserted that the House would continue its executive control function such as the probe into the Bulog and Brunei scandals and resolution of questions about President Abdurrahman Wahid's dismissal of two economic ministers last year.

"The presence of special committees established by the House to exercise its right of inquiry remain valid and legal and, therefore, the House will go ahead with its investigations," he said.

The House inquiry into the Bulog and Brunei scandals could be the most imminent cause of tension between the executive and legislature, as the President has rejected a summons filed by a House special committee investigating his possible involvement in the scandals.

Akbar strongly urged Abdurrahman to comply with the "invitation" saying he could meet with committee members at the House, the State Palace, or even his residence.

"The House will not force the President to come to the House chambers. The special committee will agree if the President wants to give testimony at the State Palace or at his residence. The important thing is for the President to testify on the scandals," he said.

According to Akbar, the President has indicated that he would be willing to testify either through a written response or by having the special committee come to the State Palace.

"The House will make its conclusion on the two scandals on Jan. 23," Akbar reminded.

Another point of controversy likely to arise between the House and the President in the next few weeks is Abdurrahman's rejection of the two candidates for supreme court chief proposed by the House.

Akbar, on Monday, urged his fellow legislators to be more earnest in holding hearings with the government.

He said the House would pay serious attention to the appointment of public and state officials to the Supreme Court and the General Election Commission (KPU).

"The appointment of a supreme justice has been delayed because of the President's rejection of the two names proposed by the House," he said.

For the KPU, the House must filter 11 out of 22 candidates proposed by the government, nongovernmental organizations and societal organizations.

In his address during the plenary session, Akbar expressed strong concerns at the poor state of security and order prevailing in the country.

He lamented that the law, particularly law enforcement, had lost respect.

The solution, he said, required modifications of the legal instruments and the procedures of law enforcement officials. (rms)