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)