House, DPD hold ‘historic’ joint plenary session

In what some called the start of a new political tradition supporting an ideal parliamentary system, the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) hosted Monday a joint plenary session to hear the President’s state speech, in anticipation of today’s observation of
the 65th anniversary of Indonesian Independence.

House Speaker Marzuki Alie hailed the joint session as historic event in developing legislative democracy.

“This is a historic event and the pillar of a new history in the democracy development of Indonesia. May this event bring additional impetus for ongoing efforts to develop a better system of constitutional affairs in the years to come. This unity also carries a strong message and a profound meaning as a symbol of the unity and integrity of the entire nation, as mandated by founding fathers,” he said.

The joint plenary session, which was presided over by the speakers of the institutions, was a solemn affair that was observed by foreign diplomats and more than 100 citizens.

President Susilo Bambang Yu-dhoyono hailed the joint session as the first ever in the reform era, adding that it was a special day because the institutions have set a new tradition in the democratic evolution in Indonesia as a nation and a state.

The joint plenary session was a political compromise between the leaders of the institutions after many House factions objected to the meeting, which they claim was not in accordance with the Amended 1945 Constitution. In response, DPD leaders delivered official letters to regional heads, including governors, to protest objections from the House.

The House and the DPD previously held separate plenary sessions when the President delivered his state speech and unveiled the government’s annual draft budget.

Marzuki said the joint session was made possible by the law on the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), House, DPD and provincial and regency legislatures. He said that the DPD had to be made equal to the DPR to implement a bicameral parliament legislature and ensure a system of checks-and-balances between the legislative and executive branches.

“The effectiveness of the two state institutions has been demanded by the people through the reform movement. They want to see their representatives effectively channel popular aspirations,” he said.

DPD speaker Irman Gusman agreed, saying that the joint session articulated and also strengthened the two state institutions as equal bodies with different roles and functions.

“The presence of regional representatives at the joint session is expected to improve the House’s political image and its legislative performance in years to come,” he said.

Irman, who received a national award on Friday for his contributions to the development of the DPD, said the its leadership would intensifying lobbying with political parties and the government to improve the council’s role and functions through a constitutional amendment.

Some political parties, such as the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Golkar Party, previously opposed an MPR general session to amend the Constitution since, fearing it would be used by Yudhoyono and the parties of his ruling coalition to revise laws limiting a president to two terms in office.

The DPD was formed from the former regional representatives faction at the MPR in 2004, and currently has 132 members who represent 33 provinces and have the right to proposeg and deliberate bills relating to regional interests.