DPD aims for `further changes' to Constitution

Mon, 11/16/2009 2:33 PM  |  National

Following its establishment in November, 2001, the House of Regional Representatives (DPD), as one half of Indonesia's (bicameral) parliamentary system, is entering its third five-year term with limited powers compared to the other half, the House of Representatives. Demand has been increasing from many sides for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to amend the 1945 Constitution in efforts to empower the DPD and adopt a checks-and-balances system in parliament. DPD Chairman Irman Gusman told The Jakarta Post's Hans David Tampubolon recently about what his institution has planned for the next five years.

Question: What will you do with the DPD over the next five years?

Answer: I have been the chairman for only one month, but I have prepared a number of strategic plans for this institution in the form of a vision and mission to make it an effective legislative body that serves as bridge or connector between the central government and regional administrations.

Our mission is, first and foremost, to become a strong connector. Second, the DPD must do its best to ensure total fairness in the development of the people's welfare. We don't want to see a wide disparity among regions. The concept of national development must be changed. The rapid development in regions must reflect Indonesia's development progress as a whole. That is the main idea of decentralization, or in other words, using a bottom-up policy. With such a policy, the central government only deals with strategic issues such as defense and foreign affairs, and the rest is decentralized to regions.

Third, the DPD must be able to improve the effectiveness of its function and role as a legislative body, firstly by providing legal considerations in the creation to bills; by participating in the deliberation of bills and making necessary recommendations in the final *deliberation* stages; while intensifying its controlling function in monitoring law enforcement related to region's interests

Can you comment on the changed role of the DPD as stipulated in the 2009 law on the composition of the MPR, House of Representatives, DPD and provincial and regency legislatures?

This is a step-by-step evolution. The DPD was born as the baby of the reformation era. Upon its birth, there were a lot of political compromises. Some people wanted the DPD to be equal in strength to the House of Representatives, a second chamber - more commonly known as a senate - but some did not even want the DPD to be born. A compromise was reached, and the DPD was born, but with a limited authority. Under the 2003 Legislative Body Composition Law, the authority of the DPD was reduced even further. Surprisingly, DPD members' articulation capabilities during the 2004-2009 term exceeded public expectations.

During that time, the DPD was able to have hearings and coordination meetings with ministers and even the President. That term turned out to be an essential period and formed the basis for the future empowerment of the DPD. The new law allows regional representatives not only to give provide legal considerations in the formation of bills, but also play active roles in the deliberation of them.

Why do some bills - mostly those that have been long anticipated by the public - often receive major changes in last minutes before endorsement?

That is exactly the reason why the DPD needs to be included in the deliberation of bills, from the get go, so we can also actively monitor the process and prevent all from making changes at the last minute.

Does the DPD still need more empowerment?

Yes, of course we want that. Other than what I mentioned earlier, the DPD will also push to develop the nation's state system by further utilizing checks-and-balances mechanisms and making "further changes" to the 1945 Constitution. I'd rather use the term "further changes" rather than "amendments", because the latter term is very sensitive.

However, before we get to that we are aiming to become a solid connector between the central government and regional governments.

Why?

Because currently in the regions, we see a lot of overlapping regulations that make decentralization stagnant. This overlapping is what we want to address first.

Previously, the House tended to ignore the DPD's recommendations, such as on the formation of new regions and its political reasons and legal considerations.

DPD is now able to bridge the *conflicting* political interests between political parties and regions.

The new law allows regional representatives to be more deeply involved in the policy-making process. For example, let's say, in the policy on new region formation; the DPD is now able to actively participate in this process. What I can say for now is that the DPD's political stance is clear: A moratorium in one or two years.

For instance, before responding to a proposal for the formation of a new province, the DPD needs to conduct a study of the ideal number of provinces in *Indonesia* covering such parameters as population, economic potential and geographic conditions.

Apart from regional issues, can the DPD also respond to national issues amidst the public's low confidence in the much-criticized House of Representatives?

Of course, yes. Amidst the mounting conflict between the antigraft body and the other law enforcement institutions, it is a good time for the DPD to ask the President to reform the National Police and the Attorney General's Office. It is important *for Indonesia* to uphold legal certainty and create a conducive investment climate. We see political reform and economic growth are going are in the right direction.

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