Page 250 - BUKU STRENGTHENING THE INDONESIAN PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY FADLI ZON

THE IMPACT OF EFFECTIVE OVERSIGHT

Effective oversight has a direct link to the improvement of democratic process. It brings more
people into decision-making so that decisions better reflect the interests of the society as a whole;
it improves accountability and transparency and reduces corruption; it enhances parliament’s
legitimacy as a responsive, inclusive and representative institution.

There is also linkage between effective oversight and economic and human development: policy
and legislation are strengthened, and governance becomes more effective as a consequence of
review and amendment (improving policy outcomes). 6

Another positive impact on the exercise of effective governance is on the electoral.
Parliamentarians are taking advantage of oversight function to gain trusts from their voters
and even new voters. By performing such role, the constituents know exactly that their
representatives are fighting for their aspirations and rights. This in the end, will increase their
credibility, integrity and responsiveness as a member of parliament.

FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT

When it comes to financial oversight, we further urge parliamentarians to exercise their oversight
role where donor funded programs and projects are concerned. When parliamentarians engage
with donor agencies and the funding process, they can not only increase the effective use of
donor aid and loans, but can also deter any dishonest use of these funds.

The Parliamentary Oversight Global Task Force (GTF-PO) focuses on financial and operational
integrity which includes: the on-going review of all government revenue and expenditures; and
legislation and other parliamentary rules establishing government financial control practices,
procedures to account for and report revenues and expenditures, as well as procedures and
authorities for parliamentary oversight of financial administration. It also includes legislation
and other rules which guide and enable parliament to oversee the implementation of the UN
Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

In 2013, GOPAC and the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and the International
Monetary Fund, in collaboration with the World Bank and the International Monetary
Fund, developed the “Guidelines to Strengthen Oversight through Parliamentarian-Donor
Collaboration” to provide critical guidance to parliamentarians regarding the role they play in
combating donor fund related corruption.

6 www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/library/

Selected Speeches of the Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia I 237