Is the DPR/MPR against the people?

Is the DPR/MPR against the people?

The House of Representatives/People's Consultative Assembly
(DPR/MPR) has long created a tense relationship with the people
through its overly tight security, which by its nature is against
the people. This situation must immediately be brought to an end
because it quashes the people's confidence.

On Oct. 11, 1999, a number of non-governmental organizations
and the poor community within the Urban Poor Consortium (UPC)
network intended to meet with the Assembly's ad hoc Committee III
at the DPR building to discuss amendments to the 1945
Constitution; a decision-making process which does not involve
the people. The group actually wanted to ask the representatives
to be transparent in making decisions which concern the people's
lives and futures, because the consequence of the decisions
(laws) will not only last for the time the current Assembly is in
session, but for as long as the law remains on the books.

However, when the group arrived they were turned away in an
indecent manner. They were forced to wait in front of the main
gate from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and were told there was no room in
the building for them. Meanwhile, 43 Golkar Party members were
allowed to enter the building, escorted by security personnel.
The people met with a public relations officer (as suggested by a
security guard) only to be told to go back to the front gate.

What is the use of the House of Representatives if it only
distrusts its people?

WARDAH HAFIDZ

UPC Coordinator

Jakarta