What they people say about House members

What they people say about House members

JAKARTA (JP): The general election we all celebrated, feared
and avoided will run its full course with installment of new
legislators on Wednesday.

Most of us know House members merely by the list of names
printed in the media, but many of us feel we know what to expect
from them in their conduct. The following are comments from
people from all walks of life about the citizens chosen to
represent them.

Tono, taxi driver: I think legislators need to be more
objective in serving the people. For instance, look at the road
in Pondok Gede or the one near Taman Mini. A particular party
made sure they were asphalted after they won in the election. But
there is little development in the areas where they lost. I don't
need to say which party, it is clear. Legislators need to listen
better to the voice of the ordinary people. That is their job,
isn't it?

Wahid, soft drink vendor from East Java: If legislators get so
much money and perks, we can expect them to serve us better. They
shouldn't live in luxury and should be close to the people even
if they are loaded with money.

Venna Melinda, 1994 Miss Indonesia and a television drama
actor: House members have a crucial function to channel the
public's voice. But I know it is easier said than done.

I saw people demonstrating at the House of Representatives on
TV and House members talked to them. It's good they responded.

I think legislators have different ways to channel people's
aspirations. Some are vocal, while others are quiet. What's
important is the result of their work.

They should have a spirit of teamwork because it is not a one-
man show. They should do their best.

Lulu, a model and TV presenter: House members must listen to
people's complaints, discuss the complaints with involved parties
and settle the problems thoroughly. But this also depends on the
system, which I think needs improvement. They must side with the
people. It seems to me many cases were handled halfheartedly.

Anyone who becomes a legislator must have a genuine desire to
help people-- things they do must be for the people's sake, not
for their popularity.

I heard they receive this and that (gifts). Well, that's just
part of human nature. But I was annoyed. I just hope new members
will be more sensitive to people's feelings.

I would say that if someone feels they are not capable, or if
they are not close to the people, then don't become a legislator.

Sofyan Nasution, head of the public relations bureau of the
North Sumatra provincial administration: We hope the new
legislators will play an increasing role as spokespeople for
provinces outside Java...

We also hope the legislators will further promote provinces
outside Java as good places for investment. This is very
important for us living outside Java. I think as representatives,
they should pursue it as a way to shift more development
activities into the provinces.

I support them getting more privileges to facilitate their
function as the people's voice. But these should be acquired
legally.

In my observations in accompanying House members in their
working visits to North Sumatra, all privileges are acquired
legally. As far as I know, the North Sumatran provincial
government has never given them illegal perks.

Mochtar Pabottingi, political scientist, Indonesian Institute
of Science (LIPI): As long as members are not rooted (within
their constituency), it is difficult to expect them to speak for
the people...They are dependent on above (the executive) and have
no moral or structural obligation to answer to the public. In a
democratic country they would be removed immediately once they
were no longer liked.

There is no need for wishful thinking, it's just like the
corruption issue. As long as the party rules (in the recruitment
system) the individual members will have no freedom.

As long as the recruitment is like now -- with 60 to 90
percent as appointed members -- I have no reason to be
optimistic. I am not talking of either the proportional or
district system. Moreover, with the Indonesian Democratic Party
in such disarray, the composition is neither proportional nor
representative.

Apong Herlina, director of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute: We
must be optimistic. Members now have the means to take more
initiative (for proposing laws through consensus of just 10
legislators from two factions instead of the former rule of
support of 20 legislators to forward an initiative). But the
better mechanism also means House members have to prepare
themselves.

The recent crash course for legislators was initiated by the
government; the legislators should have their own human resources
program... They could also cooperate with universities and other
institutions.

It was evident in bill deliberations that only a few were
experts in the assigned fields, and their only concern was to
finish a draft in a targeted period of time.

Our highly-educated DPR members should realize their function
as representatives. That includes protecting the public,
particularly vulnerable, less-informed people, from possible harm
through deliberation of laws.

DPR members should, for instance, have been more sensitive in
the deliberation of the Nuclear Power and Labor Law.

Once they move to that lovely new building they should be even
closer to the public. Before they were DPR members they could not
advocate the public's needs on their own, but now they have
millions of people behind them and all necessary facilities.

When they visit the people they should not stay in hotels when
they lack means, just stay with the people.

Nicolas Simanjuntak, lawyer: The public will demand that
future legislators improve the quality of life, make a more
pleasant and freer environment to create and do things, ensure
implementation of norms and guarantee justice.

Oka Mahendra, outgoing member of Golkar faction and consultant
at a law firm: In future I hope there will be no more cases of
things such as the request for door prizes. Even if they (my
colleagues) dubbed it as only part of a farewell event, or
whatever name, it is unacceptable. Others say it is a normal
practice. I say good habits can be continued, and unfavorable
ones should stop.

Membership in the House is an honorary position, therefore
members should guard the House image. They should not receive
anything from anyone. They are not allowed to even ask for
anything. They are bound by the vow they take when they are
installed.

Even if the faction does not receive complaints from parties
from who members have requested privileges, I say this is a moral
issue. If anyone asks me for money, for instance, I just say so
if I don't have enough...The people will understand, what's
important is that we have listened to them and will take their
concerns to the government.

Regarding out-of-town visits by commission members, the daily
allowance of barely Rp 200,000 is not enough for hotel
accommodation, and all this time we have had our hotels paid for.

I feel uncomfortable about this. Because we are assisted (in
expenses for the visits) we feel it is not proper to ask whether
the local authorities really asked for a budget enough to cover
our visit, or whether they asked for much more.

That is why the budget for visits should be increased so
legislators don't make up excuses. There should be better budget
discipline and have only one source, the DPR, which issues
spending for members' visits. The local authorities and other
parties should not be burdened to make extra expenses.

Why do members resort to asking for things? It is not because
they're desperate. It depends on motivation of members, and
whether they entered the House to represent the people or to seek
fame and fortune. (team)