Jokowi Gathers Coalition Parties, Discusses Omnibus Law Progress

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo reportedly gathered leaders of his coalition parties at State Palace last Friday, March 6. According to the United Development Party secretary-general Arsul Sani, the president discussed drafts of the job creation omnibus law and the coronavirus transmission during the session.

“The president wanted to be updated about the bill discussion in the DPR (House of Representatives), and Pak Azis (DPR Deputy Speaker) presented the progress,” said Arsul at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Thursday, March 12. As widely reported, the drafts of the bill had been submitted to the House since February 12.

Attended the session was PDIP chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, NasDem chairman Surya Paloh, Golkar chairman Airlangga Hartarto, PPP chairman Suharso Monoarfa, PKB chairman Muhaimin Iskandar, and Gerindra patron chief Prabowo Subianto.

Secretaries-general of those coalition parties also presented, as well as the DPR deputy speaker Azis Syamsudin, NasDem faction head Ahmad Ali, and PKB faction head Cucun Syamsurizal. Meanwhile, the House speaker Puan Maharani was absent as she was outside Jakarta.

When met on another occasion, Azis confirmed on Thursday, March 11, that the president questioned him about the progress of the omnibus law draft that was in the DPR secretariat-general. He admitted that the legislative leaders had not yet held a plenary meeting on the matter.

Arsul further recalled that Jokowi reminded about the deadline for the completion of the omnibus law that was set at 100 days and urged the DPR and the government to coordinate the discussion.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI