Legislators admit ignoring people's voices

Legislators admit ignoring people's voices

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A number of legislators at the House of Representatives (DPR)
admitted on Friday that they were not working for the interests
of people at large, but blamed their alienation on the electoral
system.

"The mechanism makes us like this. The proportional electoral
system allows political parties to fight for their short-term
interests and that is very dominant in the country's political
life," Arif Mudatsir of the United Development Party (PPP) said
here on Friday.

"The proportional system, in which voters choose a party
symbol, has alienated politicians from the people they
represent," Arif added.

Fellow legislator Patrialis Akbar of the Reform Faction
concurred, but added that they were always trying to maintain a
close link with their constituents by visiting them during recess
periods.

"We always visit our constituents during the recess period and
upon returning to Jakarta, we always convey their aspirations to
our faction," Patrialis said.

The question of whom legislators in the House represent -- the
people at large or their respective party -- has resurfaced
following lawmakers' reluctance to set up a House inquiry team to
investigate House Speaker Akbar Tandjung despite mounting public
pressure for them to do so.

Their reluctance has led many people to conclude that the
legislators were putting party interests over and above the
welfare of the people they claim to represent.

Akbar, who is also chairman of the Golkar Party, the second
biggest faction in the House, has been declared a suspect in a Rp
54.6 billion financial scandal involving the State Logistics
Agency (Bulog).

The sudden resignation of legislator Sophan Sophian of the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) from
both the House of Representatives and the People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR) has reinforced the perception that legislators
were representatives of political parties and not of the people.

Sophan said he tendered his resignation due to his
disillusionment with fellow legislators who were more interested
in fighting for their own short-term political interests than for
the welfare of the people.

PDI Perjuangan legislators have reportedly been coerced into
signing a written statement declaring their allegiance to the
party line on corruption allegations against House Speaker Akbar
Tandjung.

"We were forced to sign in a statement requiring faction
members to follow the policy of the executive board. But I will
always defend the truth," PDI Perjuangan legislator Aberson Marle
Sihaloho said recently.

According to Arif, not every visit to the regions allows time
for legislators to meet their constituents.

"The recess period should be extended to give longer time for
legislators to talk to their constituents," Arif said.

During each recess period, legislators usually spend two or
three days meeting with constituents. Arif said the time was too
short to understand the aspirations of the local people.

But, even if legislators had more time to meet their
constituents, it would not necessarily mean that the legislators
were representing the people since most of them adhered to
policies outlined by the party's executive board.

Legislator Engelina Pattiasina of PDI Perjuangan suggested
that all legislators should improve their common sense and defend
the interests of the people.

"We have to think about how to improve the people's welfare,"
said Engelina, without elaborating.

Meanwhile, Director of the Center for Electoral Reform (Cetro)
Hadar N. Gumay, who also spoke at the discussion, said he hoped
the 2004 election would use a district electoral system that
would enable the constituents and political leaders to have
closer relations.

He said several opinion polls had shown that legislators
ignored the interests of the people.

"This is the time to use a district electoral system. With the
new system, legislators will be more accountable," he added.