VP favors recall revival

VP favors recall revival

JAKARTA: Vice President Hamzah Haz says the reinstitution of recall over members of the House of Representatives (DPR) is necessary to ensure that democratization proceeds smoothly.

"The absence of any right of recall (over legislators) would harm the process of democratization because it makes legislators very immune," Hamzah said here after the Friday prayer at the Al- Furqon Mosque in Central Jakarta.

According to him, legislators may be recalled if they fail to attend House meetings or "fails to carry out the missions entrusted to him by the people and his or her party."

He said the right of recall should not be imposed over "outspoken and good legislators".

The issue of recall resurfaced this year after many legislators failed to attend House meetings.

In the past, however, recall was used to get rid of legislators critical of government or party policies. -- Antara