Court restores DPD members’ right to contest MPR speaker post

The Constitutional Court ruled in favor of Regional Representatives Council (DPD) members on Wednesday, saying they had the right to run for the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker post.

The verdict annulled the 2009 Law on Composition of Legislative Bodies, which stipulates that the MPR speaker must be selected from members of the House of Representatives.

“The Court believes that DPD members have the same rights as DPR members [to run for the position],” Constitutional Court chief Mahfud MD said as he read out the verdict.

However, the court also scrapped an article in the law that said two of the MPR deputy speakers had to be selected from DPD members.

“Since the House and DPD members are equal, there is no need for a quota,” Constitutional Court justice Akil Mochtar said.

DPD members Wahidin Ismail, Marhany Victor Poly Pua, Sri Kadarwati, Sofyan Yahya and Intsiawati Ayus had challenged the law, which they said was discriminative against DPD members.

The MPR comprises members of the DPR and House of Representatives. (mrs)