Legislators live up to 'kindergarten kids' tag

Pandaya ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Fri, 02/15/2008 10:11 AM  |  Headlines

Question: Why did the legendary Srimulat comedy group go bankrupt? Answer: Because they were outclassed by the Senayan clowns!

This has become a tired, old joke but is rooted in realities of Indonesian political culture dominated by the antics of lawmakers at the House of Representatives in Senayan, Central Jakarta.

Srimulat had its studio -- during its heyday in the 70s and 80s when in dominated TV shows before going out of business -- adjacent to the Senayan lagoon and just outside the vast House of Representatives complex.

The joke rings true, even funnier, any time the House stages political galas like the one on Tuesday. Legislators -- who were to hear testimony on central banking policy -- ended up providing live entertainment to Cabinet members representing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who couldn't make it.

The agenda was to question the President about his plans to recover the Rp 640 trillion Central Bank loans (BLBI) that the state provided to save the banking system from bankruptcy in the wake of the 1997 economic crisis.

In the nationally televised formal session, the politicians laughed off the crucial issue: What the state could possibly do to work around the still-binding policies of previous governments and recoup badly needed cash, including legal measures against uncooperative debtors.

As in previous interpolations, the politicians were seen clowning around with trivial formalities instead of focusing on the substance. So the meeting descended into chaos with legislators shouting out and interrupting each other.

The most emotionally charged question was why Yudhoyono had dispatched aides instead of being present himself (although it is recognized by all that such a delegation of authority is legal and proper).

These reform-era lawmakers stuck with the "Kindergarten Kids" label given them by then president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid when he was irritated by House members' immature attitudes in confronting state affairs.

Some lawmakers dramatized their frustration by leaving the meeting room. Suryama M. Sastra of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction refused to accept a presidential statement citing "concerns" about formalities such as letterhead.

Others stormed the desk of deputy House Speaker Muhaimin Iskandar presiding at the meeting. They also made a show of refusing the document, then left the room.

Legislator Jacobus Mayongpadang of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction went so far as to call for a hunger strike to protest Yudhoyono's absence.

Ade Daud Nasution, an outspoken legislator from the Star Reform Party (PBR), amused himself, the formal forum and TV viewers across the archipelago with a megaphone he brought into the convention room to interrupt speakers. Apparently, he had learned from experience that microphones couldn't be relied upon in debates involving free-for-all name calling.

"Although the standing orders allow the president to send ministers as representatives, his absence shows that he is not brave enough to address the nation's basic problems," said Abdullah Azwar Anas of the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction.

Yes, like Azwar Anaz, everyone understands the standing order all too well. Questioning rules already crystal clear amounts to making a fool of oneself in a desperate bid to show constituents how hard the legislator is working to serve the public interest.

Oddly enough, the motion was supported by almost all parties -- including PDI-P and Golkar, who are certainly implicated in the debacle because their best cadres were among the top government leaders and issued policies on how to salvage the mammoth funds.

The interpellation the other day demonstrates a country crippled by corruption that can't lean on its lawmakers to move forward. Instead of focusing on current realities and offering workable solutions for the future, the Senayan politicians exploit past mistakes to serve their egos.

For those tired of the rat race, an interpellation like the recent one at Senayan is a must-see -- just don't forget to bring your sense of humor.

-- The writer is a staff writer of The Jakarta Post and can be reached at pandaya@thejakartapost.com.

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