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House to revive New Order-era advisory council
The House of Representatives' Legislation Body (Baleg) is expected to introduce a proposal to revise the Presidential Advisory Board (Wantimpres) Law during a plenary session on July 11, which may see the revival of the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA), a body on the same level as the executive tasked with helping and advising the president.
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Lawmakers attend a House of Representatives plenary session on July 9, 2024 at the Senayan legislative complex in Jakarta. (Antara/Rivan Awal Lingga)
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awmakers are proposing a draft bill amending the Presidential Advisory Board (Wantimpres) Law to revive the New Order-era Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) amid speculation that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo may continue playing a major role in the incoming government of president-elect Prabowo Subianto.
The proposal to revise the 2006 Wantimpres Law secured the endorsement of the House of Representatives’ Legislation Body (Baleg) on Tuesday, with all nine political party factions agreeing to an amendment of the law.
The bill will be officially put forward as a House initiative on Thursday, when lawmakers are slated to convene for the last plenary session of this sitting period, said Baleg deputy chair Achmad Baidowi. After Thursday, the House will go into recess until Aug. 15.
“[The initial draft] will be presented in tomorrow’s plenary session,” Achmad, a politician of the United Development Party (PPP) told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
Among key changes in the revision are changing the council’s status, from initially being under the sitting president to being separated from the executive branch.
“The council will have an equal position with other [state] bodies,” Achmad continued.
The proposed revision would also remove the limit on the number of council members, said Baleg member Supratman Andi Atgas of the Gerindra Party. In the current version of the Wantimpres Law, the board has a maximum of eight members.
