Promotion of democracy hits obstacle: Scholar

Promotion of democracy hits obstacle: Scholar

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Efforts to strengthen the House of
Representatives as the pillar of democracy in Indonesia have hit
a wall, an academic says.

Ichlasul Amal of Gadjah Mada University said during a seminar
last week that the House's internal rules are far too complicated
to enable it to effectively carry out its duties.

"Besides, the legislative body is weaker than the executive,"
he said. "The problem is worsened by the rule which allows
political parties to sack their representatives in the House."

Ichlasul said a party's authority to withdraw their
legislators for any reason deters House members from freely
expressing their ideas, fearing that they may divert from the
official line.

He pointed out that the legislative is not productive, largely
due to its internal rule which requires that a political
organization may not propose a bill without the support of
others.

The House has been under constant criticism for failing to
make bills. Instead, it only finalizes draft laws proposed by the
government.

"The House is not productive. It passes only an average of 11
laws every year," Ichlasul said. (har/rms)