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Omnibus bill has authoritarian bent: Lawmakers, experts
Lawmakers and experts say provisions in the draft law on job creation would weaken the House, reduce the influence of local administrations and therefore strengthen the central government.
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Workers organized under the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) hold a rally against the omnibus bill on job creation in front of the House of Representatives building, in Senayan, Jakarta, on Feb. 12. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
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resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is planning to expand his power through the omnibus bill on job creation, as the bill would grant him the authority to create and revoke laws simply by issuing government regulations to resolve businesspeople’s complaints.
Article 170 of the draft law, a copy of which was obtained by The Jakarta Post, stipulates that the government can consult with House of Representatives leaders in devising such regulations.
The omnibus bill, submitted to the House for deliberation last week, would also give the president the authority to revoke provincial and regency/city-level bylaws as well as gubernatorial and regency/mayoral regulations that contradict government regulations by issuing presidential regulations.
Lawmakers at the House and experts say such provisions, if approved, would weaken the House’s legislative function, as well as the influence of local administrations, and therefore strengthen the central government.
“It’s not only about the [greater] executive authority, but [another question is] how it will be possible under the Constitution," the House's Legislation Body (Baleg) deputy chairman, Supratman Andi Agtas, said on Monday.
"I think there will be a long debate at the House [on the omnibus bill]. We will surely assess whether it is in accordance with the law or not," the Gerindra Party politician added.
Read also: Indonesia to get new business license regime with omnibus bill
