Governance, Accountability and Sustainability of MDGs Related Efforts

By : Tuti Indarsih Loekman Soetrisno
Member of the House of Representatives, Republic of Indonesia, National Mandate Party.
Member of Commission IX : Health, Labor, Transmigration, Population, Food and Drug Control.

PRESENTED AT THE SIXTH ASIAN WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS AND MINISTERS’ CONFERENCE, September 23-24, 2008, ULAN BATOR, MONGOLIA




Governance, Accountability and Sustainability of the MDG

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Introduction :

To face the challenges of the country’s development, in the period of 2004-2009, government of Indonesia has promoted the 3 (three) development agenda i.e :
1. To Create a Safe & Peaceful Country
2. To Create a Just & Democratic Country
3. To Improve People’s Welfare.
Agenda 3, i.e. to Improve People’s Welfare is much in line with the 8 goals of Millennium Development. And since Indonesia has signed the MDGs commitment in 2000, consequently all government development policies and programs have since then been projected to also reach the 8 goals of Millennium Development.


Indonesian Parliament

Since the amendment of Indonesian 1945 Constitution in 2002, Parliament of Indonesia is given more power to be involved together with the Government in deciding all development plans, policies and programs of the country, since the Parliament is expected to have the role to make changes, essential for fostering public participations and accountability and being a place of popular representation and an effective instrument for the creation of legislation and review of Government policy. This is implemented through routines hearings between the Government represented by its ministers with the Parliament where in Indonesia consists of 11 (eleven) Committees, each Committee is in charge to certain sector and Ministry as the following : I. International Affair, Defense, Information, II. Home Affairs, State Apparatus, III. Law, Human Rights, IV. Agriculture, Forestry, Maritime, Fisheries, V. Transport, Communication. VI. Industry, Trade, Cooperative, VII. Energy, Mineral Resources, Technology, Environment, VIII. Women Affairs, Children Protection, Religion, Social Affairs, IX. Health, Labor, Transmigration, Population, Food and Drug Control, X. Education, Tourism, XI. Finance, Banking, Development Planning.

All Government’s development plans, and policies including those to reach the Millennium Development goal as well as its budgets in each ministries are discussed and decided through the ministry meetings with the related committees.

Achievement of MDGs 3,4,5,6

In regards to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals particularly MDGs 3,4,5,6 Indonesia has reached the followings :


Goal 3 : Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women.

Target 4 : Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably
by 2025, and in all levels of educations no later than 2015.

The Indonesian government through Presidential Instruction Number 9, 2000 has laid the legal foundation for gender mainstreaming in all aspects of national development. The government has also taken strategic step to socialize gender perspective, showing her willingness to implement Gender Mainstreaming strategy, in both development program and policies as well as in Laws and regulation issued as the legal foundation for government activities.

Thanks to the gender mainstreaming strategy in all development policies and programs, in general Indonesia has made a clear progress in promoting gender equality and improvement of women in many aspects.

The main indicator is the ratio of girls to boys in primary, secondary and tertiary education, where Indonesia has almost reach the target, with ratios of 99,4 % at primary school, 99,9 % in junior secondary school, 100 % in senior secondary school, and 102,5 % in tertiary education. One of the measures used by government of Indonesia to reach the target is launching the “Nine Years Compulsory Education Program” (Wajar) for every boy and girl.

The second indicator is the ratio of literate women to men, aged 15-24 years old, which Indonesia almost reach the target with a ratio of 99,9 %, thanks to the government’s “Study Group Program A,B,C” (Kejar Paket A,B,C) launched 12 years ago to eliminate illiteration in the country.

The third indicator i.e. the share of women in wage employment in all non-agricultural sectors. In a strong patriarchal culture like Indonesia, the current value is only 33 %, still away from reaching the target of 50 %.

Similar case happens in the fourth indicator i.e. the proportion seats held by women in National Parliament which at the moment only reach 11,3 %. To overcome this, the government together with the Parliament just amended the Election Law which stipulates that only political party which put at least 30 % women as their candidates for general election which are eligible to take part at the coming General Election in 2009.


Goal 4 : Reduce Child Mortality.

The main indicator is the under-five mortality rate, where the MDGs target is 32 deaths per thousand live births in 2015. At the moment Indonesia has reached 40 per 1.000 live births so it already reach the MDGs target. However the report from BPS Susenas shows that a greater share of deaths take place in the first days, weeks or months of life, that means we have to improve the health protection program for the neonatals.

The second indicator is the proportion of one-year-old children immunized against measles where the number has increased to 72 % in infants and 82 among children of 12-23 months old which still have to be increased more to reach the target. However, at present Indonesia has immunized most of the children. By 2005, 88 % against diphtheria, whooping cough and typhoid although only half of them received the full course. 82 % against TB, 72 % against Hepatitis. With the Polio outbreak incident in 2005 the government had to revitalize its immunization program especially for polio. This included public education for the parents on the importance of immunization program as prevention measure against various diseases and higher budget allocation proposed by Parliaments to ensure good vaccine supplies and distribution as well as a more organized health system.


Goal 5 : Improve Maternal Health

Target 6 : Reduce by three-quarter, between 1990 and 2005, the maternal mortality
ratio.

Maternal Mortality Ratio in Indonesia has come down from 450 per 100.000 live births in 1990 to around 307 in 2007, and should reach 110 by 2015, it means it is still far behind the target. The causes of death are delivery complications like obstructed labour and haemorrhage, where most of them are treatable or preventable if they get easy access to skilled birth attendant (doctor, midwive) especially those living in the remote areas, who are poor, undernourished and prone to anemia. Or if they get access to effective contraceptives.

To solve this problem, Parliament supports the Government (Minister of Health) program to train more midwives to be placed in every village all over Indonesia, and improve the health services of all District Hospitals and Communities Health Services especially for emergency due to delivery complications
.

Goal 6 : Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases

Target 7 : Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Even if the current prevalence is 0,1 % nationally but at present there is no indication that Indonesia is halting the spread of HIV/AIDS, since data shows that for the past 5 years there is a fast increase of numbers of people living with HIV/AIDS, where from 1987 to March 2007 there were 8.988 cases of AIDS, out of that 1.994 died, as reported by National AIDS Commission (KPA).

In most of Indonesia, infections are still concentrated among two high-risk groups; injecting drug users and sex workers. One of most critical issues is the low use of condoms, even among commercial sex workers, who are only around half use condoms. There is thus the potential for HIV to spread rapidly. According to the Ministry of Health, there would be half a million people infected by 2010, or even a million, if the government does not take effective action.

Therefore Parliament support the government effort in combating HIV/AIDS to programs through public education, youth reproductive health education, HIV test, distributing free condoms at red-lights district, and free needles to drug users. Despite the fact that Indonesia is still supported by the Global Fund in combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB, Indonesia has recently succeeded to produce its own ARV to cure HIV/AIDS and also medications to combat TB given to patients through DOTS (Directly-Observed Treatment Short-Course) program to cure 582.000 cases/year in Indonesia. Through this DOTS program, where daily doses of three or four drugs taken over six month are supervised carefully, to ensure that the patient finish the full course of the medication. Thanks to DOTS, Indonesia has already met the target of MDG which is to reverse the spread of the disease (91%). Similar case is for Malaria, when the drugs have been produced locally thus we can lower the incidents to 18,6
Million cases per year.

The Role of Women Parliamentarian

To ensure the governance, accountability, and sustainability of all the programs to meet MDGs, especially goal 3,4,5,6-the focus of the discussion in this seminars, Indonesian Parliaments and Parliamentarian through their 3 (three) function: legislation, oversight and budgeting should become the driving force for the government to fulfill all international commitment like MDGs, ICPD, Beijing Platform of Actions.

Together with the Government of Indonesia, Parliament has done the followings :

a) Amending Health Law to include Reproductive Health Right.
b) Amending Population Law.
c) Advocating the Local Parliament, since Indonesia is now entering the Regional Autonomy and Decentralization era and empowering the local government, hence the crucial role of the district government leaders to succeed the programs of achieving MDGs as well as the goals of the country development programs.
d) Improving Health Insurance Scheme for the poor.
e) To Strongly propose to the government to increase Health National Budget from 2,6 % at present to 5-6 % of the National Budget (compared to the Budget for Education which is 20 % of the National Budget).

Implementing all the above mentioned measures will ensure the government of Indonesia to reach the objective of the Agenda 3 of the Middle Term Development Agenda 2004-2009 i.e : To Improve People’s Welfare as well as achieving the targets and goals of MDGs.


Conclusion

In its serious efforts to implement gender-mainstreaming strategy, beside the
General Instruction for the implementation of Gender Mainstreaming in Regional Development, issued by the Minister of Home Affairs in a circular letter Number 132, 203 following the previous regulation on gender elation, Law No. 7, 1984 on the ratification of the convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the GOI also launches Law No. 25, 2004 on National Development Planning System, especially in Chapter 12 on the quality improvement of women’s welfare and child’s protection. In the same Law, gender is also mainstreamed in thirteen other Chapters as the basis for the implementation of gender mainstreaming strategies in each aspect of development.

However there is still discrepancy between program and policies on one side and the actual practice. Women Parliaments have to make their ways to be heard for their aspirations, especially those related to women’s interest, needs and rights. In the strong patriarchal culture like Indonesia, it is still one of the obstacles for people to really willing to listen to women’s voice, even in the parliament. Men parliamentarians are outnumbered their women colleagues and from the small number of them not all are willing to be actively involved in articulating their aspiration. In Indonesia, since women are also affected by the existing gender construction, sensitivity to women’s issue is not something given for them. This goes for both women legislative member as well as the executives. Not every woman aware of women’s rights and problem and often time they are unresponsive to the need of women. Consequently they do not always willing to support others who are fighting for those rights or participate in solving the problem. Aspiration and proposal that meets the needs of women will only accepted or get through if they are supported by many and continuously and consistently articulated in the parliamentarian hearings. But since both women legislative and executive are not fully aware of the importance of the issues, they are often times ignored. There is also absolutely no guarantee that women executives (bureaucrats) always aware of women’s interest, needs, rights, and problems.

It gets worse when it comes to actual budget allocation for the planned programs. Here, there is also inconsistency between the government gender mainstreaming strategy in its development policy and program, and the actual process of planning and budgeting. Currently, local government budget in Indonesia does not have yet gender perspective. As a result, the impact does not bring equal benefit for both women and men. Hence the role of women (and men) Parliamentarian as well as the executives who are gender sensitive on fighting for gender planning and gender budget is very crucial and should be strengthened. Especially since we are already committed to fulfill the international agreement like Millennium Development Goals, International Conference of Population Development Program Actions, and Beijing Platform of Actions, as well as our own Development Agenda.


……development, if not engendered, would be endangered…
(UNDP 1996)



References :

Edriana Noerdin et al, “Decentralization as a Narrative of Opportunity for
Women in Indonesia”, Women Research Institute, Jakarta, 2007.
Peter Stalker, “Let’s Speak Out for MDGs”, Achieving the Millennium
Development Goals, Bappenas, UNDP, Jakarta, 2007.
Tuti Indarsih Loekman Soetrisno, “The Role of Parliaments in Improving
Maternal Health in Indonesia”, London, 2007.
-------- ,“Gender Sensitive Budgeting for Education and Health
Programs in Indonesia”, New York, 2008.
-------- ,“Peranan Parlemen di dalam Usaha Memperbaiki Kesehatan
Ibu di Indonesia”, Jakarta, 2008.

Senator Laode Ida was elected as a member of PNoWB Board of Directors

Senator Laode Ida was elected as one of the twelve-member Board of Directors at the occasion of PNoWB ( Parliamentary Network on The World Bank ) 8th Annual Conference in Paris, 21 November 2008. It comprises of 5 members from donor countries, 3 members from Africa (2+1 additional member representing all countries from the South), 2 members from Asia, 1 member from Latin America and 1 member from the Middle East and North Africa. Members and Chair of the PNoWB Board are elected for a three-year term. The Association’s by-laws require a yearly partial renewal of the Board members at the PNoWB Annual Conference which also doubles as the PNoWB Annual General Meeting.

All of the twelve Board members elected are Hugh Bayley, United Kingdom, PNoWB Chair, Yunus Carrim, South Africa, PNoWB Vice-Chair, Monica Frassoni, Italy; PNoWB Vice-Chair, Janette Garin, Phillippines, Vice Chair, and Santiago Castro, Colombia, Treasurer, remain in the Board (Note: They initially stepped down but were re-elected). New Board members are Corina Cretu (Romania), Alain Destexhe (Belgium), Jeppe Kofod (Denmark), Fatou Ndeye Toure (Senegal), Marie-Rose Nguini Effa (Cameroon), Laode Ida (Indonesia) and Najeeb Saeed Ghanem Aldobai (Yemen).

The Board is responsible for :

1. Ensures the continued and sustainable development of the PNoWB

2. Takes the necessary actions to define the nature, the rules of procedure and the organisational settings of the Network, and to submit a proposal to this effect at the Annual Conference

3. Initiates, guides and oversees the activities of the Network

4. Represents the Network

5. Prepares the annual meeting;6. Mobilises the necessary financial resources for the Network and takes responsibility for their administration.

The Eight Annual Conference of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank (PNoWB) was held in Paris from 20 to 22 November 2008, hosted by the French National Assembly and the French Government. The conference sought to provide participating MPs with practical knowledge, conceptual tools and other resources to address central issues on the international agenda, including climate change, the food crisis and how to make development aid more effective, fostering development at the country and regional level.

The 6th Asian Women Parliamentarians’ and Ministers’ Conference in Ulaanbaatar, 23 - 24 September 2008

Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Key to Achieving Millennium Development Goals

Senator Laode Ida, Mrs. Sri Kadarwati, Ms. Eka Komariah Kuncoro, from DPD-RI, and fellow members from DPR-RI Hj. Aisyah Hamid Baidlowi, Mrs. Tuti Indarsih Loekman Soetrisno and Mr. Awang Sofian Rozali, attended the 6th Asian Women Parliamentarians’ and Ministers’ Conference in Ulaanbaatar, September 2008.

Dr. La Ode Ida, and Ms. Eka Komariah Kunchoro spoke on Regional Autonomy and the Efforts to Achieve the MDGs in Indonesia.

They traced Indonesia’s democratization and decentralization reform efforts over the years and linked them to the quality of public services and the realization of social economic welfare. Education, health and social welfare are among the 31 policy areas over which authority is delegated to regional governments.

Local governments are crucial to the achievement of the MDGs because they have the authority to set agendas and allocate budgets. Local governments have shown strong efforts to achieve the MDGs. Indonesia has experienced downward trends in maternal mortality ratio and infant mortality rates since the 1980s. Gender equality remains a challenge, however. Dr. Ida and Ms Kunchoro showed that the number of women public servants in important positions is less than half of the men’s.

Other challenges include the lack of coordination between provincial and district authorities, inefficiency in the bureaucracy, corruption, cultural discrimination against women in public life and intervention of special interests in politics.
However, they believe that the MDGs can be achieved in Indonesia if the local governments can learn from best practices and be committed, consistent and people-oriented. It also depends on transparent, accountable and clean government, with supervision by the national government and active participation from the community.

Mrs. Tuti Indarsih Loekman Soetrisno, MP, another participant from Indonesia, spoke on Governance, Accountability and Sustainability of MDGs-related Efforts entitled Development Endangered If Not En-Gendered

She explained that Indonesia has mainstreamed gender in nearly all aspects of national development. She showed data that indicate near perfect balance (99%-100%) in the ratio of girls to boys in primary, secondary and tertiary education. However, only 33.3% of women workers are now employed in non-agricultural sectors, far short of the target of 50%. Women representation in the parliament stands now at 11.3%.

Indonesia’s immunization programme has been instrumental in protecting a high percentage of children from a number of diseases. The country’s child mortality rate is 32 per 1,000 live births in 2008 and the government has instituted a Health Protection Programme for Neonatals to lower the high number of deaths in the early period after birth.

Maternal mortality rate has dropped from 450 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 307 in 2007, but much work remains to be done to reach the target of 110 by 2015. Among the challenges is the lack of access to skilled birth attendants in some remote areas.

Together with the government, parliamentarians have made progress in amending the Health Law to include reproductive health rights, improving health insurance scheme and increase the Health National Budget.

However, there are discrepancies between laws and policies on the one hand, and their actual implementation on the other. She pointed to patriarchic tradition and gender construction as the main barriers to the acceptance of the voice of women in the public sphere. Budget allocations have also been inconsistent and not gender-sensitive. In closing, she insisted that if not en-gendered, development would be endangered.

WORKING VISIT TO BUTON RAYA, SOUTH EAST SULAWESI, 12-14 SEPTEMBER 2008

WoORKING VISIT TO BAU BAU MUNICIPALITY, BUTON, 12 SEPTEMBER 2008

WORKING VISIT TO MAWASANGKA AND LAKUDO REGIONS OF CENTRAL BUTON, 13 SEPTEMBER 2008

DIALOGUE OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW AUTONOMY REGION, IN BAU BAU, BUTON, 14 September 2008

The Irony of International Loan Deals

Most third world (underdeveloped) countries receive international aid from either multinational donor agencies or through bilateral cooperation. To some extent, this is to accelerate and/or materialize their own development agendas, while a few countries depend entirely on international funding. Without such aid, these underdeveloped nations would be struggling to achieve their national development goals.

There are two categories of international aid: Loans and grants. The amount of loans provided is usually large, while grants are for small projects. Subsequently, a nation aims to stimulate related loan-based activities/programs or to gain support both socially and politically from civil society and other stakeholders during program implementation.

For the purposes of this discussion, the most important thing to keep in mind is that beginning with the initial stage, after the two parties (donor agency and related government officials) have agreed to the basic principles of the development aid, the cost for project preparation is part of the country's loan.

This stage usually takes more than a year (an average of two years) and involves very expensive experts (consultants). In other words, the recipient country also uses the loan to pay for the experts -- who are mostly foreign nationals.

It means that from the beginning of the loan, most of the money tends to be sent off abroad (to the experts' origins), and only a small amount of the money goes to local beneficiaries through the local experts.

The question is: Who is involved in the decision-making process and in management of the loan? To be frank, the loan negotiations and decisions are always very secret, decided only between the executive side (related officials or ministers under consultation with the head of state) and donors, whereas the legislative or representative body and NGOs (civil society communities) are not taken into account.

It appears that the government/executives are not obliged to involve those two parties in the loan-negotiating process. It seems that parliament and NGOs merely need to know the amount and purpose of the loan once the government reaches an agreement and adds it to the state budget as a funding source for any development project for the next fiscal year.

This process that does not involve the people's representatives (parliamentarian and/or civil groups) is very ironic and must be evaluated. Why?

First, the legislative body is mandated to fight for the people's interests in the policy-making process -- including development agendas.

Generally speaking, due to their positions and daily activities, civic groups are very close to local communities, and know more about their dynamics, cultures, interests and demands.

Second, it should be kept in mind that loans are heavy burdens for future generations. Obtaining loans by using its natural resources as the guarantee appears to be easy, especially for a country such as Indonesia which is very rich in natural resources. Many countries as well as donor agencies are interested in loaning money to such countries and subsequently are involved in this process of exploitation.

Indeed, loan management in Indonesia (in the reform era) has changed slightly.

It appears that the implementation of loan management in Indonesia has been improving from time to time particularly in promoting good governance and in making an effort to eliminate corruption practices within its bureaucracy -- particularly in the relevant executive branches with which the donor agency works with.

During the past 10 years of Indonesian political transition, many authoritative elites (executive officials, politicians and businessmen) have conspired to capitalize on misused funds, requiring best practice intervention from the donor agency.

But, to some extent, I personally think that donor agencies are also trapped by their own conservative situations. Based on certain requirements, consultant companies are allowed to join tender and are then listed as permanent business partners of the donor agency -- regardless of the quality of their work.

Donor agencies are being ambushed by formal qualifications, without paying more attention to the rising number of better qualified new consultant groups which consist of more educated people, with high integrity and personal moral responsibility.

Without reforming consultant involvement within a donor-sponsored project, donor agency/ies may be seen as misusing funds on loan-based projects.

Posted in Jakarta Post, 26 Nov 2008

Accountability and Parliamentary Oversight Seminar – Helsinki, Finland 10 – 13 November 2008

LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT- DPD RI

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The World Bank Institute (WBI) in partnership with the Parliament of Finland conducted the Accountability and Parliamentary Oversight Seminar, which took place in Helsinki , Finland from November 10-13, 2008. This event marked 10 years of cooperation between WBI and the Parliament of Finland. The purpose of this year’s event was to bring together Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff in order to discuss the internal and external oversight mechanisms and tools available to legislatures.

Parliament’s oversight function aims to ensure that the government and its agents use their powers and available resources appropriately and with probity, and in ways that respond to the needs and interests of all members of the community. Furthermore, oversight by parliaments and other autonomous accountability institutions can help guarantee that the decisions and actions of the government stay within the bounds of the law, thereby strengthening an open and accountable democracy. Ultimately, oversight enhances public confidence in the integrity of the government’s activities and encourages all groups in the community to accept the policies of the executive branch.

This seminar brought together 25 participants from Liberia , Ghana , Nigeria , Pakistan , Sri Lanka , Thailand , Tanzania and Indonesia (two members of the Public Accounts Committee and one member of parliamentary staff from each country). The Indonesian senate ( DPD-RI ) was represented by Deputy Speaker senator Laode Ida, senator Hamdhani from Central Kalimantan and Mr. Genius Umar, Director, International Affairs Secretariat of DPD-RI. Senator Laode brought a presentation on Legislative Oversight – The Mechanism and Tools and senator Hamdhani presented An Oversight as One of DPD-RI’s Functions and Government Accountability to the Society at Large.

Senator Laode Ida spoke about the big picture of the importance of the Legislative oversight , the characteristic and category of the oversight. He also explained the mechanism of DPD-RI oversight in general. Senator Hamdhani brought more details on how article 22 D (3) of the 1945 Constitution (Indonesian Constitution) mentioned that the DPD should oversee the implementation of laws concerning:
1. Regional Autonomy
2. Formation, Expansion, and Merger of Provinces
3. Relation between Central – Local Government
4. Management of Natural Resources
5. Implementation of State Budget and its Balance Budget between the Central and Local Government
6. Taxation, Education and Religion
The results of the said oversight will be submitted to Parliament (The House of Representatives/DPR) for their consideration.

Both presenters also reported the products of the DPD-RI’s oversight for the 2004 – 2008 period, that includes : 10 Initiatives of Bill, 83 Considerations on various Bills, both proposed by The President or The Lower House, 38 Oversight Results and 23 Decisions related to the State Revenue and Budget (APBN)

CDI POLICY PAPERS ON POLITICAL GOVERNANCE - A REPORT ON DPD-RI - 2006

CDI POLICY PAPER ON DPD-RI

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Pictures from THE 8th WORKSHOP OF PARLIAMENTARY SCHOLARS AND PARLIAMENTARIANS, at Wroxton College, Wroxton, Oxfordshire UK, 26 – 27 July 2008

DPD members, Senator La Ode Ida, Mrs. Nyimas Ena, Rev. Ishak Pamumbu Lambe, accompanied with Mrs. Siti Nurbaya, Secretary General of DPD RI, and genius Umar, staff of Secretary General DPD RI for Foreign Relations were invited by the IPU to attend the 8th workshop of Parliamentary Scholars and Parliamentarians, at Wroxton College, Wroxton, UK, on 26 – 27 July 2008.

The purpose of the Workshop was to bring together scholars and parliamentarians in order that research findings likely to be of practical use to parliamentarians can be presented and discussed. The workshop itself built on the success of the previous Workshops, the first held in Berlin in 1994 and the other six at Wroxton College, now the established venue for the event

The village of Wroxton lies three miles outside Banbury and it is within reach of Oxford and can also be reach from London by road and rail.

Wroxton College

Wroxton College is the overseas campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University. It is housed in a magnificent 17th century Jacobean mansion, the ancestral home of Lord North ( Prime Minister under King George III ), and nestling in 50 acres of its own landscaped grounds. The mansion has its own library, chapel, and spacious reading room. There’s even a gymnasium in the building. We have given a guided tour by Lord Norton of Louth, Professor of Governor Director, Center of Legislative Studies, University of Hull, UK, at the weekend of the workshop

Lord Norton of Louth gave tour at Wroxton College

With Senator Nyoman Rudana from Bali

Presentation at Wroxton College

Mrs. Siti Nurbaya, delivered her presentation

During the workshop at Wroxton College

Presented souvenir from DPD-RI to Lord Norton of Louth

SENATOR LAODE IDA VISITED THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND INDONESIAN SOCIETY IN LONDON 2008

SENATOR LAODE IDA VISITED THE HOUSE OF LORDS IN 28 July 2008

The House of Lords is the second house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is also commonly referred to as “the Lords”. The Parliament comprises the Sovereign, the House of Commons (which is the lower house of Parliament and referred to as “the Commons”), and the Lords. Membership of the House of Lords was once a right of birth to hereditary peers, but following a series of reforms the House now consists almost entirely of appointed members. Its office is in The Palace of Westminster, London.

DPD – RI members had a meeting with The House of Lords members the day after finishing the workshop at Wroxton College. They were welcomed by Lord Faulkner of Worcester, The Deputy and Speaker of The House.of Lords

Presented souvenir from DPD-RI to Lord Faulkner of Worcester

Group photos with Lord Faulkner

DPD -RI delegates In front of Buckingham Palace.

Senator Laoxde Ida and The Indonesian Ambassador for UK, H.E.Mr. Yuri O. Thamrin.

SENATOR LAODE IDA MET INDONESIAN SOCIETY AT THE INDONESIAN EMBASSY IN LONDON, 29 July 2008

Indonesian delegates of DPD – RI also had a meeting with Indonesian society in London where we explained about the role and function of DPD RI .

With Ian Rowland and Mr. Graham Wynn from The Royal Society for The Protection of Birds ( RSPB ), who received souvenir from DPD RI.

Morning chat at Holiday Villa Hotel, London, with Mrs. Siti Nurbaya, the Secretary General of DPD RI and senator Nyoman Rudana from Bali

EIGHTH WORKSHOP OF PARLIAMENTARY SCHOLARS AND PARLIAMENTARIANS at WROXTON COLLEGE, OXFORDSHIRE, UK 26-27 JULY 2008

DPD RI FOR REGIONAL VOICE -Wroxton college, UK

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Indonesian parliament members ( The House of Representatives and The Senate ) participated in the Eighth Workshop of Parliamentary Scholars and Parliamentarians being held on Saturday, 26th July and Sunday, 27th July 2008 at Wroxton College, Wroxton, Oxfordshire, in the United Kingdom. DPD – RI or senate delegates was led by Deputy Speaker DR. Laode Ida.

The purpose of the Workshop was to bring together scholars and parliamentarians in order that research findings likely to be of practical use to parliamentarians could be presented and discussed. The Workshop builds on the success of the previous Workshops, the first held in Berlin in 1994 and the other six at Wroxton College, now the established venue for the event.

Among themes to be covered at this Workshop are (1) legislative ethics and accountability, with papers on the adoption of the accounting officer model in Canada, the domestic effects of legislative ethics reform in the UK, parliamentary scrutiny and oversight of the ‘war on terror’, and government accountability in parliamentary democracies: a case study of Sweden. (2) Parliaments and the Internet, with papers on European Parliaments online, the impact of the Internet on the Chinese National People’s Congress, and the ethics of electronic communication. (3) Developments in the UK Parliament, with papers on Westminster territorial select committees, early day motions, the role of independent MPs, the House of Lords, and a comparison of the Westminster and Scottish parliaments. (4) Gendered ceremony and ritual in parliaments, with papers on India, South Africa and the UK.

Sponsors

The Workshop was sponsored by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Research Committee of Legislative Specialists of the International Political Science Association (IPSA), and the Centre for Legislative Studies at the University of Hull. The Workshop was organised by the Centre for Legislative Studies, in conjunction with the Dean of Wroxton College, Dr Nicholas Baldwin.

Programme

The Workshop commenced at 9.15 a.m. on Saturday 26th July and concluded mid afternoon on Sunday 27th July.

There was a concluding panel comprising some of the parliamentarians who attended the Workshop. The panel provided an opportunity for parliamentarians to raise issues and answer questions of concern to them as working legislators. A concluding panel was introduced at the Fourth Workshop and proved stimulating and popular; given its success, it was utilised again at the succeeding Workshops.


Venue

The venue for the Workshop was Wroxton College, Wroxton, Near Banbury, Oxfordshire, in the United Kingdom. Wroxton College was the overseas campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University.

The College was housed in a magnificent 17th Century Jacobean mansion, the ancestral home of Lord North (Prime Minister under King George III), and nestling in 50 acres of its own landscaped grounds. When not attending sessions, participants had an opportunity to explore the mansion and the grounds. The mansion had its own library, chapel, and spacious reading room. There was also a gymnasium in the building. A guided tour of the house would be available during the weekend of the Workshop.

The village of Wroxton was also of interest, with thatched cottages and a parish church housing the remains of various members of the North family, several of them significant figures in the history of England. The village lied three miles outside Banbury. It was within easy reach of Oxford and Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford upon Avon. It was also within easy reach of London both by road and rail. The town lied just off the M40 motorway. There was a regular Flightlink coach service between London Heathrow airport and Banbury. There was also a regular Flightlink service between London Gatwick and Banbury. There were taxis available for the short journey from Banbury to Wroxton.

Accommodation

Rooms were available in Wroxton College itself. Each was a very pleasant study bedroom, with en suite facilities. A number have excellent views of the grounds. For the weekend of the Workshop, an inclusive residential rate has been arranged, though participants might also book for specific meals and accommodation. Those wishing to book accommodation and meals in College should use the enclosed registration form.

PROGRAMS :


WELCOME SPEECH
Dr Nicholas D. J. Baldwin, Dean, Wroxton College of Fairleigh Dickinson University
Professor The Lord Norton of Louth, Director, Centre for Legislative Studies, University of Hull


PLENARY SESSION 1
HOLDING GOVERNMENT TO ACCOUNT :
a. UK Parliamentary Scrutiny and Oversight of the ‘War on Terror’ - Mark Shephard, University of Strathclyde.
b. Governmental accountability in parliamentary democracies: The case of Sweden
Ingvar Mattson, Parliament of Sweden

PLENARY SESSION 2
ENHANCING ACCOUNTABILITY
a. Adoption of the Accounting Officer Model in Canada - Donald H. Oliver, Senate of Canada

b. Voices from the shop floor: MPs and the domestic effects of ethics reform
Nicholas Allen, University of Essex

PANEL SESSION 1
PARLIAMENTS AND THE INTERNET

a. European Parliaments Online - Cristina Leston-Bandeira, University of Hull

b. When the Internet turns Digital: What impact does the Internet have upon the Chinese National People’s Congress? - Xiudian Dai, University of Hull

CONSEQUENCES OF DEVOLUTION IN THE UK

a. The Westminster territorial select committees after devolution
Oonagh Gay and Judy Goodall, Library of the House of Commons, UK

b. Divergence or convergence: the Westminster and Scottish parliaments
Barry Winetrobe, Member of the Executive, UK Study of Parliament Group


PANEL SESSION 2
GENDERED CEREMONY AND RITUAL IN PARLIAMENT

a. Contesting the neutrality of the Speaker: Gender, Power and Ceremony in the British House of Commons - Faith Armitage, Birkbeck College, University of London

b. Symbolising the Rainbow: Glimpses of the South African Parliament - Surya Monro, University of Sheffield

c. Disrupting Rituals of Parliamentary Debate in the Indian Parliament - Carole Spary, University of Warwick


LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE EU AND THE USA

a. The ‘United Parliaments of Europe’ and further considerations on subsidiary democracy
Gerd Grözinger, Universität Flensburg

b. President Clinton’s State of the Union addresses - Jose J. Sanmartin, University of Alicante


PANEL SESSION 3
PARLIAMENTARY BEHAVIOUR IN THE U.K.

a. The Mavericks: The role of Independent MPs in the House of Commons - Mark Stuart and Philip Cowley, University of Nottingham

b. Why do they turn up? - David J. Morgan, Universities of Leicester and Hull


UNDERSTANDING LEGISLATURES [Regency Room]

a. The legislative role of parliaments in democratisation: the case of the Iranian parliament (Majles) - Pedram Saeid, University of Hull

b. The contribution of socio-cultural aspects to the behaviour of parliamentary opposition: some empirical findings - Katrin Steinack, University of Kent


PANEL SESSION 4
MEMBERS ENTERING PARLIAMENT [Lecture Hall]

a. Capacity building for new MPs: Survey of orientation and induction programmes
Ken Coghill, Monash University, Peter Holland, Monash University, Ross Donohue, Monash University, Andy Richardson, Inter-Parliamentary Union, and Cristina Neesham, Monash University

b. Diminishing the Oath of Allegiance: The MP’s right to salary - Hamid Ghany, University of the West Indies


THE ROLE OF JUDICIAL REVIEW [Regency Room]

a. Judicial scrutiny of policy-making: The new face of judicial review. A Case Study of Hong Kong- Anton Cooray, City University of Hong Kong

b. Judicial review of legislative and executive decisions: overlapping or necessity? - Hom Raj Dahal, Association of former members of parliament, Nepal

CONCLUDING PANEL
A question and answer session with parliamentarians

CLOSE OF WORKSHOP

JOINT COMMUNIQUE OF The 16th ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASIA PASIFIC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM ( APPF ), Auckland, New`Zealand, 20 - 24 january 2008

At the invitation the Parliament of New Zealand ,the 16th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) was held in Auckland, New Zealand from 20 to 24 January 2008 with participants from 21 member parliaments and 9 observer countries.. The Executive Committee convened a meeting on 20 January, before the opening of The Annual Meeting.
On 21 January 2008, at the opening ceremony, Hon. Margaret Wilson, President o the APPF and Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives welcomed the participants to the Annual Meeting and declared themeeting open.

His Excellency Mr Sergey Mironov, Former President of the APPF and Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and Diputado PatricioWalker, Presiden to the Chamber of Deputies of Chile, addressed the participants.MrYoshinobu Shimamura, Permanent Leader of the Japanese Delegation, delivered a speech to the APPF on behalf of the Honorary President of APPF, His Excellency MrYasuhiro Nakasone.

Delegations were honoured and pleased to have the opportunity to meet the Governor-General of New Zealand, His Excellency Anand Satyanand, and the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt Hon Helen Clark.

In the plenary session on political and security issues delegates discussed a number of topics and made resolutions on the situation in the Korean Peninsula, cluster munitions, the Middle East peace process and the situation in Iraq, and the situation in Myanmar.

In the plenary session on economic and trade issues delegates discussed a number of topics and made resolutions on climate change and sustainable development, energy security, international and regional trade developments, people-centered information, and science and technology.

In the plenary session on regional cooperation in theAsia-Pacific region delegates discussed a range of topics and made resolution on disaster preparedness and pandemic disease,interfaith dialogue and the Alliance of Civilisations, promoting women's participation in politics and the economy, South Pacific fisheries management, and a number of issues of long-term concern to the region,such as demographic changes, water management, human rights,the abduction of citizens, poverty alleviation, the mutual recognition of occupations, free speech, mv /AIDS, child labour, marine pollution, and the treatment and protection of migrant workers.

The 16 the Annual Meeting of the APPF adopted 23 resolutions on these issues, In the final plenary session participants discussed the future role of the APP and agreed that the 17th Annua lMeeting be hosted by the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democrati Republic from 11 to 15 January 2009.

The annual meeting resolved to invite the President of the APPF, after consulting with the Executive Committee and the Honorary Chairperson,to write to the new Executive Committee setting out the idea raised at the 16th Annual Meeting and asking that it:

a. Review the rules of procedure during 2008 and make recommendations for as amendments that it thinks fit to the 17thAnnual Meeting
b. Address the ideas raised at the 16thAnnual Meeting with Laos in terms of developing the draft agenda and schedule for the 17th Annual Meeting

The meeting thanked the Drafting Committee for its efforts in developing a package of resolutions and the joint communique, which contributed to the success of the meeting.

The Annual Meeting expressed its appreciation and gratitude to the New Zealand Parliament for its organisation and hospitality, and especially to Hon. Margaret Wilson, Speaker of the House of Representatives for her Presidency of the APPF, and to the Secretariat and the staff for their hard work, which contributed to the success of the Annual Meeting.

Daily Report of the 16th APPF ( The Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum ) Meeting in Auckland, New Zealand 20 – 24 January 2008.

19 -20 January 2009

Parliamentary delegates from the Asia Pasific ( ASPAS ) Regions has arrived in Auckland since yesterday. 20 from 27 parliamentarian delegates members of APPF attended were led by The Speakers or Deputy Speakers and parliamentarian members consisted of the Upper and Lower Houses. There were 11 parliaments attended as a visiting delegates from the ASPAS regions.
On 19 Jaunary 2009, there was a Executive Meeting held, discussing drat of agendas of :

1. Political and Security Issues

1.1. Situation in the Korean Peninsula
1.2. Institutional building in the Asia Pacific, include report/briefing on ASEAN, APEC, EAS
1.3. Cluster Munitions
1.4. Good Governance
1.5. Middle East Peace Process

2. Economic and Trade Issues

2.1. Climate change and sustainable development
2.2. Energy security
2.3. International and regional trade development (The South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization)
2.4. Science and Technology

3. Regional Coorperation in the Asia- Pacific Region

3.1. Disaster preparedness and pandemic disease
3.2. Interfaith dialog and alliance of civilization
3.3. Promoting women’s participation in politics and the economiy
3.4. Issues of long-term concern to the region (demographic change, water management, human right, poverty alleviation, treatment and protection of migrant workers)

4. Future Work of the APPF

4.1. Date and venue of the 17th Annual Meeting
4.2. Measure to increase the role of the APPF as the inter-parliamentary organization and promote cooperation with other countries.

5. Adoption of resolution and Joint Communique

The main topics discussed in terms of resolution draft were divided into 3 groups :
1. Politics and Security
2. Economy and Trade
3. Partnerships in the ASPAS region.

Up to 20 January 2008, 50 resolution drafts have been submitted including 6 drafts from DELRI ( Delegation of Repibli of Indonesia ), entitled :
1. Climate Change And Sustainable Development
2. Middle East Peace Process
3. Disaster Preparedness And Pandemic Disease Prevention
4. Energy Security
5. The Protection Of Migrant Workers
6. Poverty Alleviation

All the 50 drafts would be discussed and merged into 13 resolutions with topics :

I. Politics and Security

1. Situation in the Korean Peninsula
2. Institutional building in the Asia Pacific, include report/briefing on ASEAN, APEC, EAS
3. Cluster Munitions
4. Good Governance
5. Middle East Peace Process

II. Economy and Trade :

6. Climate change and sustainable development
7. Energy security
8. International and regional trade development (The South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization)
9. Science and Technology

III. Partnerships in the ASPAS region.

10. Disaster preparedness and pandemic disease
11. Interfaith dialog and alliance of civilization
12. Promoting women’s participation in politics and the economiy
13. Issues of long-term concern to the region (Demographic Change, Water Management, Human Right, Poverty Alleviation, Treatment And Protection Of Migrant Workers)

At the end of the meeting, all resolutions will be summarized into a Joint Communique signed by the Chief delegates as an authentic script at the end of the meeting.
Also reported that before entering Committee Executive Meeting and as the early preparation to participate at the APPF meetings, on 19 January 2008 a consultation meeting of DELRI ( DPR RI ( Upper House ) and DPD RI ( Lower House ) ) and The Indonesian Embassy of New Zealand has been held to synchronize the agenda meeting with the DELRI position.
Executive Committee meeting that afternoon was led by The Chief of Executive Committee from New Zealand and 9 members representing North East Sub Region, South East Asia, Oceania and America, including DELRI as the member of Executive Committee.

On 20 January 2008 DELRI has been doing some activities in Auckland as followed :
1. Visited Memorial Museum of Auckland to have first hand knowledge of New Zealand.
2. Attended Welcome Reception from The Governor of Auckland and The Speaker of New Zealand Parliament Hon. Margaret Wilson.
3. Dinner Reception with the Indonesian Ambassador for New Zealand HE. Amris Hassan.

Daily report of the 16th APPF ( The Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum ) Meeting in Auckland, New Zealand.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE HOUSE OF REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA ( DPD-RI )

An Overview of DPD-RI

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WHAT IS THE DPD-RI

The House of Regional Representatives of The Republic of Indonesia or Dewan Perwakilan Daerah Republik Indonesia ( DPD – RI ) is a legislative chamber that was established in 2004 and focuses on regional affairs. It is sometimes called as Regional Representatives Council . Each province has four representatives who are elected in a general election every five years as independent candidates. The DPD RI is located in the National Parliamentary Compound in Senayan area in South Jakarta .

THE DPD RI LEADERSHIP

Left to right : senator Laode Ida, senator Ginandjar Kartasasmita, senator Irman Gusman, at the DPD-RI Plenary Meeting 22 August 2008

The leadership of the DPD-RI consists of Chairperson and a maximum of two Vice Chairpersons. Under the DPD-RI’s Standing Orders, the composition of the DPD-RI Leadership must reflect representation for the regions of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. This entails representation for three broad regions :
The Western Region, comprising the islands of Sumatra, the Riau Islands and the Banka – Belitung Islands.
The Central Region, comprising the islands of Java, Bali and Kalimantan ( Borneo ).
The Eastern Region, comprising the island of Sulawesi, the Maluku Islands ( Moluccas ), Papua and Nusa Tenggara.

The duties of the DPD-RI leadership include serving as spokepersons for the DPD-RI, implementing and publicizing decisions of the DPD-RI, and holding consultations with the President of the Republic of Indonesia and with other institutions.

The DPD RI leadership for 2004 – 2009, effected on 1 October 2004

Prof.Dr.Ir.H.Ginandjar Kartasasmita
Chairperson of the DPD-RI.

A senior figure on Indonesia’s political stage, he has held numerous important government positions. He served as Minister of Mining and Energy ( 1988 – 1993 ), and as Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry, a position which he held concurrently with that of Chairman of the National Development Planning Agency ( Bappenas ) from March – May 1998. From 1999 to 2004, he served as Vice Chairperson of the People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia from the Golkar fraction. In the direct selection for the DPD-RI, he took first place in the Province of West Java.

La Ode Ida, Phd
Vice Chairperson of the DPD-RI.

With a strong tract record as an NGO activist, he has extensive experience in working with stakeholders at the grassroots, which is a significant element to strengthen the role of DPD-RI. He has also regularly analyzed political developments in articles written for various media. He served as consultant in the World Bank’s National Management Team ( 2001 – 2002 ) and most recently as a member of the Constitutional Committee established by the MPR-RI to comprehensively examine the amendments to the 1945 Constitution. He took first place in the 2004 elections in the Province of Southeast Sulawesi.

H. Irman Gusman, SE, MBA.
Vice Chairperson of the DPD-RI.


A prominent representatives of the business community within the DPD-RI, he’s one of the several young entrepreneurs holding seats in the DPD-RI. A graduate of a US university, he has vast experience in the private sector. His main political experience has been as Deputy Chairperson of the Regional Delegates Faction ( Fraksi Utusan Daerah / F-UD ) in the People’s Consultative Assembly ( MPR-RI ) from 1999 to 2004. In the direct election for the dPD-RI, he took first place in West Sumatra.

WHY WAS THE DPD RI CREATED

The DPD-RI was created to give a voice to the regions in national politics.
It conveys the aspirations of the provinces to the House of Representatives or Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat ( DPR –RI) and to the central government by proposing policies and legislation. By acting as a bridge between the regions and national government, the DPD-RI aims to improve the welfare of the people in the regions.

President SBY delivered his speech on regional development at DPD-RI Plenary Meeting, 22 August 2008

The creation of the DPD-RI was one of the fruits of the reform movement that ended the domination of Indonesia’s authoritarian regime, or New Order in 1998. During the 50 years prior to reformation movement in 1998, the central government wielded strong control over the regions, particularly over political life and economic policies.

This led to weak political participation by ordinary people and to economicpolicies that often fell short of meeting the needs and demands of the people of the regions.

Through the 3rd amendment to the 1945 Constitution in 2001, an agreement was reached to create the DPD-RI. This new legislative body aims to ensure that the issues faced by the regionswill receive more attention from the central government than they did in the past.

Since the DPD RI was established through the April 2004 elections,the Indonesian parliament has had two legislative chambers – the DPR-RI and the DPD-RI, which together constitute the MPR-RI ( People’s Consultative Assembly ), in their capacity as membersof the MPR-RI, the DPD-RI members have the powers to amend the Constitution and to dismiss the President and or Vice President during his / her term of office in accordance with the Constitution.

In the DPD-RI, the first house of MPR-RI, provinces with larger populations have larger numbers of seats. By contrast, in the DPD-RI, every province has the same number of seats. This means that in the DPD-RI, all the provinces have equal powers.

The members of DPD-RI are independent figures who are wellknown to the public in their respective provinces. They are elected directly in a general election.

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE DPD-RI

The DPD-RI is constantly communicating with the public in the regions and local governments and consults with experts to formulate improvements in government policy and to ensure their implementation.

1. Propose Bills to the DPR-RI

Only bills that deals with regional autonomy, relations between the central and regional governments, establishing, partitioning and merging regions, management of natural resources and other economic resources, and fiscal equalization between the central and regional governments.

2. Participate in the discussion of bills together with the DPR-RI

The DPD-RI may take part in discussion of bills related for regional autonomy that have proposedby either government or the DPR-RI, limited to only the bills mentioned under heading ( 1 ) above.

3. Provide advice to the DPR-RI

The DPD-RI provides advice to the DPR-RI on bills relating to the State Budget, taxation, education, and religious affairs; it also provides opinions to the DPR-RI in the selection of members of the BPK ( National Audit Board ).

4. Oversee the implementation of laws

Laws on regional autonomy, establishment, partitioning, and merging of regions; relations between the central and regional governments; management of natural resources and the other economic resources; implementation of the State Budget; taxation, education and religious affairs.

Panel discussion : Leadership of DPD-RI with the Chairman of The Corruption Eradication Commission ( KPK ) Antasari Azhar ( 2nd from left ) and Chairman of the Audit Board DR. Anwar Nasution ( 2nd from right ), 22 August 2008

DIVERSITY OF MEMBERS

The DPD-RI consists of the four members per province, or 128 members who represent the 32 provinces of the Republic of Indonesia. The newly established Province of West Sulawesi is represented by the four members elected in Southeast Sulawesi.

For the first period of 2004 – 2009, political party officials are forbidden to become the members of DPD RI, but for the next period of 2009 – 2013, there are several major changes of the DPD-RI candidates prerequisites, including that the members of political parties are eligible to apply as the candidate of DPD RI.

STRATEGIC VISION AND MISSION

Vision of the DPD-RI

To become a strong, equal and effective legislative institution to struggle for the aspirations of the people and the regions to achieve a dignified, prosperous and just Indonesian society within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.

Mission of DPD-RI

To enhance the role and position of the DPD-RIin order to strengthen Indonesia’s system of checks and balances through the amendment of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia.

To struggle for the aspirations of the people and the regions to achieve euiatable and sustainable public welfare.

To develop mutual cooperation with the main stakeholders in the regions and the center.

To attract greater attention from the central government on important regional issues. To strive for greater legislative powers in order to better represent the regions.

DPD-RI Plenary meeting

STRATEGIC ISSUES 2004 -2009

As representatives of the provinces, the DPD-RI members must have strong links with their constituents. In order to achieve this, they must continuously interact with the regions. This is why the DPD-RI’s legislative calendar requires members to go back to their provinces during recess in order to maintain these strong links.

In the effort to represent the aspirations of the people in the regions, intensive consultations between the DPD-RI members and their constituents during the DPD-RI’s first year of operations produced eight strategic issues that will be the priority of the DPD-RI in its current mandate until 2009. These eight strategic issues are :
1. Health and education.
2. Empowerment of women and guarantees for the welfare of children.
3. Regional autonomy, balance of ower between the center and the regions, reducing economic

inequality between regions and management of natural resources.
4. Active participation in the making of the draft national budget.
5. Oversee the implementation of the national budget.
6. Eradication of corruption.
7. Protection of traditional rights and cultures.
8. Understanding and applying religious values in society.



MAIN TASKS OF THE DPD – RI 2004 – 2009

Ad Hoc Committees ( Panitia Ad Hoc or PAH ) are the core committees of the DPD-RI. Their purpose is to discuss bills tabled by the government, the DPR RI and the DPD-RI itself.

The duties of the Ad Hoc committees are to ensure that the DPD-RI’s coreb Advisory and Oversight functions are carried out effectively. The Ad Hoc committees are responsible tocoordinate relevant research, policy analysis and draft the DPD-RI’s consideration ( formal report with recommendations ) to be submitted to the DPR-RI.

The Ad Hoc Committees have the following areas of jurisdiction :
Ad Hoc Committee I is responsible for regional autonomy, center - regions relationship, establishment, partitioning and merger of regions.

Ad Hoc Committee II is responsible for management of natural resources and other economic resources.

Ad Hoc Committee III is responsible for education, religious affairs, health and empowerment of women.

Ad Hoc Committee IV is responsible for ensuring center – regions financial equality, and deliberation on the selection process of National Audit Board ( BPK ) members.

In addition, the DPD has six supporting committees, as follows :
1. Consultative Committee ( Panitia Musyawarah /PANMUS ) is a body with primary

responsibility is to determine the agenda of DPD-RI.

2. Committee for International Cooperation ( Panitia Kerjasama Antar Lembaga Pemerintah / PKALP is a committee aims at establishing good relationships and cooperation with other representative institutions and acts as the main interlocutor for foreign assistance to the DPD-RI.

3. Bill Drafting Committee ( Panitia Perancang Undang – Undang / PPUU ) is a committee responsible for preparing the bills that are discussed by the DPD-RI or those for submittal to the DPD-RI, and to develop internal house rules ( Standing Orders ) for the DPD-RI.

4. Ethics Council ( Badan Kehormatan / BK ) is a committee ensures appropriate conduct by the members of the DPD-RI. It conducts investigations and verifications of complaints by and / or about DPD-RI members.

5. House of Committee ( Panitia Urusan Rumah Tangga / PURT ) deals with the DPD-RI’s internal housekeeping policies. The duties of the committee are to assist the DPD-RI leadership in planning and preparing budget for effective operations of the DPD-RI.

6. DPD-RI Task Force in the MPR-RI ( Kelompok Anggota DPD di MPR RI ) consists of a group of 32 DPD-RI members whose aim is to maximize the effectiveness of the DPD-RI by lobbying party grouping in the MPR-RI in order to achieve strategic goals.