New Assembly to have a speaker and three deputies
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) will have one speaker and three deputies that will reflect the composition of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD), according to a document obtained by The Jakarta Post on Saturday.
The draft of the Assembly's internal regulations, expected to be endorsed on Sunday, is a guideline for the new Assembly members who were elected in the April 5 general election.
The current Assembly comprises one speaker and eight deputies, whose tasks are unclear.
The draft regulation sets out the tasks of the Assembly leaders, which include presiding over Assembly meetings, drafting agendas and sharing out the work between the Assembly speaker and deputies.
For the first time, the regulation also mentions setting up an Assembly Honorary Council. The four Assembly leaders automatically become members of the council and each faction in the Assembly is also represented.
The Council will have the authority to probe alleged violations of the Assembly's internal regulations and its code of ethics.
It also has the power to summon witnesses or others to give information.
According to the draft regulation, an Assembly faction must have at least 20 members. Political parties having less than 20 seats in the Assembly must join others to form a faction.
Regarding the Assembly's powers to amend the Constitution, any proposal for an amendment must be submitted by at least one-third of the Assembly members.
They must explain the reasons for the amendments to the Assembly leaders who must discuss the changes within 90 days of the proposal being submitted.
The Assembly is also preparing a draft of the DPD internal regulations.
Assembly member Zain Badjeber said on Saturday the DPD internal regulations would help members of the new body in their work.
"In its very first meeting after the inauguration on Oct. 1, the DPD can revise the regulations," Zain, of the United Development Party (PPP), said.
A.M. Luthfi from the National Mandate Party (PAN) said the Assembly's decision to prepare a draft should not be seen as interference.
The draft DPD regulations require the institution have one speaker and two deputies. The DPD will also has an Honorary Council in charge of the image, dignity, and credibility of DPD.