Page 66 - BUKU A CENTURY OF PARLIAMENTARY LIFE IN INDONESIA

FROM VOLKSRAAD TO THE CENTRAL INDONESIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
(1917–1949)

The 1945 Constitution did not adhere to Montes-
quieu’s separation of power (Trias Politica) but
adhered to the state power sharing system. This
was due to: Experts often mention

1. The 1945 Constitution did not strictly limit au- that the DPR serves
thority to a certain organization/body without two functions: first, as
the interference of other organizations/bod-
ies. a body that sets policies
2. The 1945 Constitution did not limit the divi- and makes laws, and
sion of power to only three bodies and also second, as a body that
did not limit the distribution of power by only
three bodies. controls. For the first

3. The 1945 Constitution did not completely function, the DPR
divide the people’s power which was exer- has legislative rights,
cised by the People’s Consultative Assembly
(MPR). amendment rights, and
budgetary rights, while
Additionally, the President’s legislative power
could be seen from Supomo’s statement in the for the second function,
PPKI session where he stated “Alongside the the DPR has the right to
President is the People’s Representative Coun- question, interpellation
cil (DPR). The DPR can be referred to as a body
which, together with the President, aims to draft rights, inquiry rights,
bills (UU) with the President, in a legislative body.”
and motion rights.
The DPR essentially held the most power in the
Republic of Indonesia. In addition to having rights
and obligations in accordance with the provisions
of the 1945 Constitution, the DPR was also the
President’s partner at the legislative level and one that supervised the
implementation of MPR’s decisions (DPR members also served as MPR
members at the time).

As DPR members were also MPR members, all articles concerning the
rights of the MPR also applied to the DPR. Experts often mention that the
DPR serves two functions: first, as a body that sets policies and makes
laws, and second, as a body that controls. For the first function, the DPR
has legislative rights, amendment rights, and budgetary rights, while for
the second function, the DPR has the right to question, interpellation
rights, inquiry rights, and motion rights.

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