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