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)