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.