Observers say too much politics in the House
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)