Minister Amir: President Cannot Revoke Regional Elections Bill
12 September 2014 23:20 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Justice and Human Rights Minister Amir Syamsuddin, said that the government could not revoke the regional elections bill because the bill was a result of the House of Representatives' (DPR) initiative. "If the initiative came from the parliament, the government could only follow it," said Amir on Friday, September 12, 2014.
He said that the situation would be different if the bill was made based on the government's initiative. In this case, the government can revoke the ongoing discussion in the DPR. Even so, Amir admitted that the government could not just ignore the discussion.
Amir’s statement was delivered in response to recent demand that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono must exercise his power to revoke the regional elections bill discussion.
The bill had received public criticism because it changes the direct elections system to a controlled elections. The Merah Putih Coalition, which consists of parties that support Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa, is vigorously supporting the passing of the bill.
RAYMUNDUS RIKANG
