People's Consultative Assembly

People's Consultative Assembly
Barkah Yusuf, Sameboat · Public domain · source
Name	People's Consultative Assembly
Native name	Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat
Legislature	Indonesia
House type	Bicameral component
Established	1945
Preceded by	BPUPKI
Leader1 type	Speaker
Leader1	[Speaker]
Members	711 (varies)
Meeting place	MPR/DPR Complex, Jakarta

People's Consultative Assembly is the national deliberative assembly of the Republic of Indonesia, charged with constitutional authority, national guidelines, and state leadership appointments. It convenes in Jakarta and interacts with institutions such as the President of Indonesia, Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat, Dewan Perwakilan Daerah, and the Constitution of Indonesia. The assembly's evolution reflects major events including the Indonesian National Revolution, the Guided Democracy period, the New Order, and the Reformasi era.

History

Formed after the proclamation of independence in 1945 and shaped by the debates of the Investigating Committee for Preparatory Work for Independence and the 1945 Constitution, the assembly’s origins link to early leaders such as Sukarno and Sutan Sjahrir. During the Guided Democracy era the body became central to Sukarno’s balancing of factions including the Indonesian National Party, Communist Party of Indonesia, and military figures like Sudirman. Under Suharto’s New Order the assembly served to legitimize policies of the Golkar organization and to enact the Dwikora Cabinet and later transitions; pivotal moments included the aftermath of the 30 September Movement and the institutional shifts following the Supersemar. The 1998 Reformasi movement, protests at the MPR/DPR Complex, and legal changes such as the Amendment of the 1945 Constitution transformed the assembly’s composition, powers, and relationship to the Judicial Commission of Indonesia and the Supreme Court of Indonesia.

Composition and Membership

The assembly is composed of members drawn from the Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat and the Dewan Perwakilan Daerah, with historical inclusion of appointed members from institutions like the Indonesian National Armed Forces and functional groups such as Golkar-affiliated organizations. Membership rules have been revised through constitutional amendments and laws like the Law on Legislative Bodies (Indonesia). Prominent political parties represented historically and presently include Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Golkar, Gerindra, Democratic Party, National Awakening Party, Prosperous Justice Party, and National Mandate Party. Individual members have included figures who also served as President of Indonesia and Vice President of Indonesia, and state appointees linked to bodies like the National Research and Innovation Agency.

Powers and Functions

The assembly holds authority to set the broad outlines of state policy, to inaugurate and remove heads of state, and to amend the Constitution of Indonesia. Its constitutional functions intersect with nomination and confirmation roles involving the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), the Corruption Eradication Commission, and appointments related to the Constitutional Court of Indonesia. Historically it issued the Five Guidelines (Pancasila) interpretations and has promulgated decrees that influenced national direction during crises like the Asian Financial Crisis.

Legislative and Constitutional Role

Although legislative initiation chiefly occurs in the Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat, the assembly plays a constitutional role in amending the 1945 Constitution through deliberative sessions and joint votes. It has power to issue the broad state policy document known as the “GBHN” in earlier periods, and since amendment cycles it has delineated mandates regarding constitutional review, impeachment proceedings against the President of Indonesia and Vice President of Indonesia, and the ratification of international treaties such as those negotiated after ASEAN Summit (various years) meetings.

Relationship with Other State Institutions

The assembly’s interactions include oversight, consultative, and appointment linkages with the Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat, Dewan Perwakilan Daerah, the President of Indonesia, the Constitutional Court of Indonesia, the Supreme Court of Indonesia, and agencies such as the Corruption Eradication Commission and the Indonesian National Police. Political tensions have emerged between the assembly and cabinets formed under leaders like Megawati Sukarnoputri, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and Joko Widodo, illustrating institutional balance questions addressed by scholars referencing cases from the People Power protests (1998) and post-Reformasi legal reforms.

Procedures and Sessions

Sessions occur in plenary meetings at the MPR/DPR Complex with rules set by internal regulations and provisions of the 1945 Constitution. Regular sessions, annual joint sessions, and extraordinary gatherings follow procedures established in legislative law and precedents from high-profile sessions such as those inaugurating presidents or conducting impeachment inquiries. Delegations include representatives from provinces like Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, and North Sumatra, and voting procedures reflect the distributions codified in post-amendment statutes.

Criticism and Reforms

Critics including civil society organizations like KontraS, Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, and academics from institutions such as University of Indonesia, Gadjah Mada University, and Airlangga University have challenged the assembly on grounds of democratic legitimacy, transparency, and accountability. Reform proposals advanced during and after Reformasi called for the abolition or transformation of the assembly’s role, changes to appointment mechanisms involving the Indonesian National Armed Forces, and clearer separation of powers consistent with comparative models from bodies like the National People's Congress (China) and the United States Congress. Recent legal amendments and political debates continue to shape its authority amid calls from activists and lawmakers for further change.

Category:Politics of Indonesia Category:Legislatures