Towards a more effective legislature

While meeting with leaders of the newspaper Kedaulatan Rakyat, President Soeharto asked the press to put straight the public misconception that the government's power exceeds that of the House of Representatives.

The President's remark has drawn a number of reactions, including some from members of the House itself. The conclusion which we can draw from these reactions is that introspection is needed from the House as well as from everybody else concerned in order for the legislature to be able to properly function.

Despite the fact that President Soeharto has been transparent in his appeal for control, it appears that the House -- as an institution or through its individual members -- has never exercised any such control or supervision over the President's policies.

What is actually happening? Members of the legislature have been complaining that they have been unable to perform their functions as specified by the 1945 Constitution because of internal constraints, such as overly rigid procedures, lack of experts, lack of research and development facilities, and so forth.

We hope that since the constraints are recognized, a real effort will be made by the legislature to overcome these limitations without waiting for government generosity. If an effort is made by the House to surmount its shortcomings, and if procedures conducive to the proper performance of the House's legislative rights are formulated, we are certain that no obstacles will be encountered.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta