Regional Representative Council

Regional Representative Council. The Dewan Perwakilan Daerah is the upper house of the People's Consultative Assembly in Indonesia. Established as part of constitutional reforms following the fall of Suharto, it represents the provinces at the national level. Its members are elected from each province and focus on issues of regional autonomy and fiscal balance.

History

The council was established through the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of Indonesia in 2002, a key product of the Reformasi era that followed the end of the New Order under Suharto. It first convened in 2004, marking a significant shift from the centralized governance model of the past. Its creation was influenced by debates on regional representation, distinct from the party-based People's Representative Council. The body's formation was part of a broader decentralization process initiated by laws like Law No. 22 of 1999 on regional government.

Composition and election

The council is composed of 136 members, with each of Indonesia's 34 provinces represented by four members, regardless of population size. Members are elected directly by voters in provincial-level constituencies during the national legislative election, such as the 2019 Indonesian legislative election. Candidates are individuals, not representatives of political parties like those in the People's Representative Council. The election is governed by the General Elections Commission under the framework of the Law on Legislative Elections.

Functions and powers

Its primary function is to propose, discuss, and provide consideration on bills related to regional autonomy, central-regional relations, natural resources management, and fiscal balance. The council can submit draft laws on these specific areas to the People's Representative Council. It also holds the power to oversee the implementation of laws concerning regional affairs and the state budget related to regions, providing results to the People's Representative Council for follow-up. However, it does not have a final legislative decision-making power, a limitation set by the Constitution of Indonesia.

Relationship with other government institutions

The council operates alongside the People's Representative Council as part of a bicameral system within the People's Consultative Assembly. It works jointly with the People's Representative Council in forming and passing the State Budget of Indonesia and amending the Constitution of Indonesia. Its considerations are submitted to the People's Representative Council and the President of Indonesia. The relationship is defined by the Constitutional Court rulings and the Law on the MPR, DPR, DPD, and DPRD.

Criticism and evaluation

Critics, including academics and NGOs like Indonesia Corruption Watch, argue that the council has limited real power, often being described as a "toothless" institution because it cannot veto legislation. Its effectiveness in championing regional interests has been questioned, with some viewing it as overshadowed by the more powerful People's Representative Council and the executive branch under Joko Widodo. Proposals for strengthening its authority, such as granting it full legislative rights, have been discussed in forums like the Annual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly but not enacted.

Category:National upper houses Category:Government of Indonesia Category:Legislatures of Indonesia