Observers say too much politics in the House

JAKARTA (JP): Observers again slammed the House of Representatives on Thursday for neglecting its primary legislative duties and busying itself instead with a tussle for power with the executive branch.

Noted lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis and observer T.A. Legowo expressed disappointment with the legislature for concentrating too much on monitoring the President, at a seminar here to evaluate the House's performance.

"The House has not functioned 100 percent and not performed 100 percent in the past year ... It concentrates more on the interests of the political elite than the interests of the people," Todung said.

"The House has meddled too much in micro-managing the government, by scrutinizing every single decision the executive has made. Actually, the House shares part of the blame in the current government's failure," he remarked.

"If there is an impeachment hearing for the President, then there should also be one for the House," Todung continued.

He cited that, so far, the House had only finalized and approved 15 laws that had substantial significance for people's lives, while the rest of its work was merely reactionary, to fulfill demands.

"The House does not have a clear vision of what kind of constitutional reform is needed to amend the Constitution. It is not clear what it wants to do over our Constitution," Todung said.

Todung further lamented that while there was too much action in certain areas, others that affected the people, such as burdensome taxes, were not properly addressed.

"In the legal field, it also failed to respond to the needs of a new Supreme Court and Attorney General. The House does not have a clear perspective of legal reform," Todung remarked.

The noted lawyer further charged that the current crop of legislators is immature and inexperienced, as they only represent the political elite and not the people that vote for them.

"The House, after the coming special session, should improve its legislative duties. It should come up with a clear target and vision on what to do for our country. The House should have a greater sense of public responsibility and accountability," Todung said.

T.A. Legowo also charged that the House had forgotten its legislative duties, as data showed that from 39 laws deliberated this year, only three originated from the initiative of the House.

"Furthermore, it was reported that generally only 30 percent of legislators attended each session or meeting at the House during this year's sittings. This shows a lack of responsibility by the legislators," Legowo said.

"The House does not have a clear priority in doing its job. It should maintain the democratization process in the country and not expend its energy in observing the President's actions," he further remarked.(dja)