Legislative-executive

Legislative-executive synergy needed

From Koran Tempo

The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the House of Representatives (DPR) should operate according to their scope of authority and should not maneuver to resist president-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's government during the next term.

These comments were made by new MPR Speaker Hidayat Nur Wahid, who also said any attempt by members of the two institutions to go beyond their legislative authority would cause confusion in government and in the running of the public administration.

Agung Laksono, following his election as House speaker, also shared the view that DPR members should become a balancing counterpart instead of a spoiling opposition. He hoped there would be no moves to confront the new president.

The prediction of an unhealthy schism arising between the next government and the MPR-DPR has mostly come from some of the political elite, who point to the small number of party members supporting Susilo and vice president-elect Jusuf Kalla in the legislative institutions.

Legislators should be well aware that besides representing their parties, they are expected by their electorates to make a positive contribution to the government to help the country go forward smoothly.

To this end, good legislative-executive relations and synergy are needed.

ALAMSYAH Jakarta