YLBHI Asks DPR to Postpone Bills Discussions amid Pandemic
Translator
Editor
3 April 2020 15:26 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In response to the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) agenda to conclude discussions on the Criminal Code Bill (RKUHP) and Correctional Facilities Bill (RUU PAS) next week, Chief of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI), Asfinawati, has asked the House to postpone all legislative agenda during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Stop the entire legislative agenda first, there are a lot of things to monitor as a result of Coronavirus crisis," Asfi said when contacted, on Friday, April 3, 2020.
Asfi viewed that the DPR agenda seems intentional. The House, he continued, wants to conclude discussions on bills that were widely rejected by the people prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, in a time when people can not gather to reject it.
"Why are some bills that were actually rejected by the people at large (are currently) being discussed," said Asfi.
He saw the proposed discussions on the bills as inconsiderate. Instead, Asfi expected the DPR to focus on monitoring the government's mitigation on the pandemic, including the State Budget spending.
In addition, Asfi hoped that the House members can take the initiative to help with the prevention and handling of COVID-19 through, for example, opening official complaint channels for people in their respective areas. "They should open official complaint channels for the community at least in their constituency areas," she added.
FIKRI ARIGI | DIO SUHENDA (Itern Translator)
