Awaiting the House of Representatives’ Stance

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

A reporter listens to President Joko Widodo’s opening speech for a limited Cabinet meeting on Tuesday (31/3/2020) by video link in Jakarta. The meeting discussed protocols for the repatriation of Indonesian migrant workers (TKI) and restricting foreign arrivals and transits in the country to prevent importing Covid-19 cases, particularly in relation to the wave of returning Indonesians.

The number of victims of the Covid-19 pandemic in this country continues to increase. There have been 4,557 cases reported in 34 provinces, with 399 people dead after being infected by the coronavirus.

These were the data reported by the Covid-19 task force, sourced from the Health Ministry, as of Monday (13/4/2020) at noon. The number of residents affected by the coronavirus is predicted to continue to grow. The number of people recovering has increased. The first case of the infection by the virus was revealed by President Joko Widodo on March 2, 2020.

The President issued Presidential Decree No. 12/2020 concerning the determination of the Covid-19 pandemic as a national non-natural disaster, Monday (13/4/2020).

In an effort to help curb the spread of Covid-19, the President on 31 March 2020 issued Presidential Decree No. 11/2020 concerning a Covid-19 public health emergency, Government Regulation No. 21/2020 concerning large-scale social restrictions to accelerate Covid-19 Mitigation, and Government Regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) No. 1/2020 concerning state financial policy and financial system stability for handling the Covid-19 pandemic. The President issued Presidential Decree No. 12/2020 concerning the determination of the Covid-19 pandemic as a national non-natural disaster, Monday (13/4/2020).

Also read: Awaiting the House of Representatives’ Stance

Perppu No. 1/2020 was issued after Covid-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). The number of victims increases over time. Covid-19 has affected 210 countries/territories. In Indonesia, the epidemic has, among other things, resulted in a slowdown in national economic growth, a decline in domestic economic activities, and financial system instability. The government needs to take extraordinary steps.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

Densely packed residential areas stand amidst skyscrapers in this aerial shot of Jakarta, the epicenter of Indonesia’s Covid-19 outbreak, taken on Tuesday (7/4/2020). Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto on 7 April 2020 approved large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) for Jakarta, owing to the significant increase, rapid spread and local transmission of Covid-19 in the special capital region. Under Health Minister Regulation No. 9/2020 on PSBB guidelines, the social restrictions apply to schools, places of work, religious activities, activities in public spaces, mass transportation, and defense and security activities.

Article 22 Paragraph (2) of the 1945 Constitution states that the Perppu must obtain approval from the House of Representatives (DPR) at the next hearing. The Perppu was submitted to the DPR on Thursday (2/4/2020). The DPR leadership promised to immediately discuss the regulation. However, as of Monday (13/4) the DPR had not yet discussed the Perppu. In fact, the DPR is currently in a hearing session.

It seems as if the DPR is like walking on "horse glasses". The DPR continued to discuss the draft laws proposed by the government and the DPR\'s initiative before the pandemic occurred. Even, the DPR plans to amend other non-urgent laws, such as Law No. 24/2003 concerning the Constitutional Court and intends to dissolve the State Civil Apparatus Commission, which is not urgent (Kompas, 11/4/2020).

The DPR must actively supervise the implementation of the Perppu, in line with its function. The DPR cannot work in a business-as-usual manner.

Article 20A of the 1945 Constitution states that the DPR has legislative, budgetary and supervisory functions. The existing Perppu No. 1/2020 has a "legal loophole" that needs to be closely watched by the DPR. Article 27 of the Perppu is considered to provide immunity to the executive and financial authorities. The cost of saving the economy from the crisis is not a state loss. The DPR must actively supervise the implementation of the Perppu, in line with its function. The DPR cannot work in a business-as-usual manner.

The government in a broad sense is not only executive, but also legislative and judicial. In addressing the pandemic, it is not enough for the DPR to say that it encourages the government to speed up the Covid-19 handling or not extend its recess period again. The real stance of the people\'s representatives to fight Covid-19, the focus of the fight against the pandemic, is really awaited by the people.