Uncovering the mystery of secretive Bamus

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

If there is one word that could be said to have dominated the headlines in recent days, it would have to be Bamus, the name of a special committee in the House of Representatives.

The Bamus, which means deliberative body or steering committee, had captured the public's attention over the last two weeks, mainly because of its inability to decide on a timetable for a House plenary meeting session.

The plenary session is of particular interest because it is expected to discuss a possible inquiry into the alleged abuse of power by Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung, who has been implicated in a Rp 54.6 billion financial scandal.

The steering committee is tasked with making schedules for legislators to assist them in planning their work timetables, whether it be for an entire year, semester or a single meeting session.

The steering committee has become a target of criticism, due to its practice of always meeting behind closed doors.

Responding to the criticism, legislator Yahya Zaini from the Golkar Party said that the law required Bamus meetings be held in camera.

"However, with the consent of participating members it can be made open to the public," Yahya told The Jakarta Post.

Yahya, a drafter of the House's internal rules, added that the meetings were usually closed to the public because they discussed unfinished plans.

Once plans are finalized in a plenary meeting, they are made public.

But Yahya's explanation of the system has never been tested in practice, since no Bamus meeting has ever opened its doors to the media.

Legislator Hamdan Zoelva from the Crescent Star Party (PBB) said Bamus meetings were closed to the public because they discussed the internal affairs of the House.

Article 91 of the internal House rules stipulates that steering committee meetings are intended primarily to be closed- door sessions, but that they can be opened to the public with the agreement of members of the committee.

The new internal rules have been in force since Oct. 16. They are aimed at empowering the nine commissions and the steering committee, as well as improving the effectiveness of debates in plenary meetings.

With the increased role of the steering committee, it is hoped that legislators will pay closer attention to the proposals they submit to it.

Currently, the membership of the committee consists of 76 legislators who can be reshuffled at any time by leaders of the 11 factions.