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Analysis: Questioning the effectiveness of new presidential advisory council
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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)
T
he House of Representatives has passed a revision of the Presidential Advisory Council Law, which will allow president-elect Prabowo Subianto to reward those who contributed to his electoral win with seats on the council.
In brief, there are three items in the revised Presidential Advisory Council Law that require close attention: The change in the institutional status, the number of members and the requirements to sit on the council.
The amended law will allow those in government who lack certain skills to take advisory council posts after the House and the government, represented by Law and Human Rights Minister Supratman Andi Agtas, a Gerindra politician, agreed to remove the clause on requirements for council members.
Additionally, the new law allows those with positions within the structures of political parties, state-owned and private companies, civil society groups, higher education institutions and other organizations to join the advisory council.
The most notable change to the law is the institutional status of the Presidential Advisory Council, which will become a state institution on a par with other public independent bodies such as the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the Ombudsman. However, unlike other independent bodies, the new Presidential Advisory Council will be filled by individuals selected solely by the president without requiring the House’s consent.
In other words, the council may theoretically wield more power. However, it will also create confusion in the decision-making process as the council is an integral part of the presidential office, although it is designed as an independent entity.
Prabowo’s vision to create a club for former presidents could find meaningful space in the Presidential Advisory Council with those extended authorities. The council will provide room for outgoing President Joko ‘’Jokowi’’ Widodo to remain in the spotlight after leaving office on Oct. 20.
