Observers, businessmen optimistic about House

JAKARTA (JP): The new-look House of Representatives (DPR) is on the right track in the way it conducts its legislative and control functions, say political observers and businessmen.

Nabiel Makarim, deputy chairman of Parliament Watch Indonesia (Parwi), gave a thumbs-up to the House's performance over the last two months in channeling the aspirations of the people.

"So far, the House is on the right track in implementing its legislative and control functions. It's now our joint task to empower this respectful state institution to improve its performance in the future," he told The Jakarta Post here on Saturday.

He said the House is now looking more responsive to problems, issues and aspirations developing in society, as all its members, with the exception of the 38 from the Indonesian Military and Police faction, were elected in a relatively fair multiparty election.

"The establishment of special committees to handle conflicts in Aceh, Ambon and Irian Jaya is a good starting point for the House in showing its quick responses to the people's concerns," he said.

Nabiel also lauded the monthly consultation between House leaders and President Abdurrahman Wahid in its attempt to control the executive branch.

"A routine meeting like this enables the house to monitor the government closely as well as preventing it from drifting from the State Policy Guidelines (GBHN)," he said.

When asked to compare the current House to the past ones, Nabiel said it was unfair to make such an assessment as past legislative bodies "were subordinated" to the powerful, corrupt and repressive regime.

Nevertheless, he warned that to ensure its performance was maintained the House must be strict in its enforcement of its code of ethics to prevent legislators from abusing their new found power.

"For example, the House has to be responsive to accusations of bribery allegedly linking a House commission with Bank Mandiri. If the case is not investigated thoroughly it will affect the House's credibility," he said.

Mochtar Pabottingi, a political observer from the Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI), also hailed the House's reactions to issues being brought to them by the public.

He described the House as entering a period of "rational politics" whereby the competence of legislators would be a primary commodity.

However there still remained weaknesses and the proficiency of most legislators remained in question.

He lamented the House's weakness when they questioned senior and retired generals recently over Aceh.

The whole push for reform, according to Mochtar, will become stagnant if the House cannot develop itself into a clean, able and trusted avenue for people's aspirations.

Rachmat Subakir, president of new airline company PT Awair International, hailed the work of House members trying to unravel the web of deceit in numerous banking scandals, along with those censuring top businesspeople who enjoyed illegal facilities from the government in the past.

Subakir called on the House to be even bolder and more outspoken in censuring business tycoons involved in troubled credit schemes, regardless of their background.

"Where are conglomerate owners such as Liem Sioe Liong, Prajogo (Pangestu) and many other noted tycoons? What have they done to help defuse the prolonged economic crisis? Where is their nationalism?" he charged.

Meanwhile Oesman Sapta, chairman of the 135-member Regional Representatives Forum at the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), commended the House's work thus far, but said it could be even more proactive given the pressing problems across the country.

"The House should make action plans to help solve the problems in Aceh, Ambon, Irian Jaya, Kalimantan and Riau," he said.

House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said the key to the progressive steps being undertaken and initiated at the House is the continued support of the people.

"Insya Allah(If God wills it), the House will be able to carry out its legislative and control functions in line with public demands, but it also needs support from all layers of society," he said. (rms)