Calls Made to Scrap DPR Megaproject due to Low Productivity

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Agung Laksono, criticized the performance of the 2014-2019 DPR members, who has yet to sign a bill in the past 10 monts. With such a record, he said, DPR members does not deserve to ask for additional facilities. "Their sense of crisis needs to be tempered with - so the megaproject needs to be overlooked for the time being, so they would be more respected by their constituents," he said.

The plan to construct a new Parliament House have indeed ruffled some feathers in recent months. Members say that current facilities need to be updated as it no longer meets their needs, but the proposed project costs some Rp2,7 trillion - drawing criticism from the general public, which perceives the DPR as under-performing.

According to Agung, DPR members need to reorient their focus towards their legislative duties as opposed to a new building. "They're the legislature - when they don't work, it could easily be seen," said the Golkar politician.

The Head of the 1999-2004 DPR, Akbar Tanjung, concurs with Agung. After attending the anniversary pleno session, Akbar also said that the building should only be built if DPR could prove its' merits - something that Akbar thinks is still far from being reached, considering that the Bills that the DPR has managed to pass are revisions and Presidential Decrees.

"They need to focus on their function - once it improves, they could ask for new facilities to be constructed," said Akbar.

DPR is celebrating its' 70th anniversary on August 29, 2015 - but several anniversary sessions have been held a day in advance - including a plenary session with a speech by DPR Chairman Setya Novanto, followed by the launch of DPR's commemorative stamps by the Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rudiantara.

INDRI MAULIDAR