The DPD needs to be more careful in facing additional duties and authorities given by the DPR and government, through Law No. 2/2018.
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Law No. 2 of 2018 on the People\'s Consultative Assembly (MPR), House of Representatives ( DPR), Regional Representatives Council (DPD), and Provincial/City Legislative Councils (DPRD) -- MD3 Law – gives a new task for councillors, regional representatives. The law makes the DPD more powerful.
Law No. 2/2018, which revises Law No. UU No 17/2014 on legislative institutions, adds point (j) to Article 249, which gives new authority to the DPD to monitor and evaluate the drafting of local regulations and prevailing bylaws. This authority was previously held by the Home Ministry and the provincial governments.
According to the law, the authority of the DPD, namely proposing a draft law relating to regional autonomy and other regional affairs; discussing region-related bills; compiling and submitting inventory lists of bill issues originating from the government or the DPR; giving consideration to the DPR regarding the bill on State Budget, bill on tax, education, or religion; and conducting supervision related to the implementation of region-related laws. Moreover, the DPD can also submit results of supervision over the implementation of the laws related to the regions to the DPR, receive the examination results of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), give consideration to the DPR in selecting members of the BPK, and develop national legislation programs related to regional autonomy.
If observed and in line with the reaction from the community, the emphasis of the formulation of the MD3 Law, which was discussed by the government and the DPR, is to continue strengthening the DPR. Besides stipulating the addition of a chair for the MPR, DPR and DPD, the law seems to give "entertainment" to the DPD, by strengthening its authority. However, the addition of authority and duties is not accompanied by an increase of "facilities" and the power of the DPD.
The explanation of Article 249 of Law No. 2/2018 is "quite clear". This means that in exercising additional authorities and duties to monitor and evaluate the drafting of regional regulations and bylaws, the DPD cannot do anything except optimize existing resources. Paragraph (2) of Article 249 only mentions that, in carrying out supervisory duties, DPD members may hold meetings with local governments, DPRDs and communities from their electoral districts. Article 250 states the DPD is independent in preparing a budget to carry out its duties and authorities.
Compare this with the strengthening of the DPR, which is given in Law No. 2/2018, which force the community test it to the Constitutional Court. The DPR can force the presence of anyone to attend its meetings, force anyone to implement the recommendations made by the DPR and immunity of DPR members is also increasingly strengthened.
The DPD needs to be more careful in facing additional duties and authorities given by the DPR and government, through Law No. 2/2018. There is no need to push itself because it must be acknowledged that the DPD has not been fully able to fight for the aspirations of the regions or serve as a bridge between the central and local governments. The DPD is often left behind in responding to problems in the regions. Just focus on existing authorities and duties so that the local people feel the benefits of DPD representation. Inevitably, it will be the people who encourage the strengthening of the DPD and increase its duties and authorities.