DPR Takes Indonesia To World Pentas Through 44th AIPA Session

DPR

JAKARTA - The 44th ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) event held by the DPR last week has relevance Indonesia in the international arena. As the host of the parliamentary forum in Southeast Asia, the DPR is considered to have displayed Indonesia's best face.

"The AIPA trial has been optimally used positively by the Indonesian House of Representatives through its Chair, Puan Maharani," said Professor of International Law at the University of Indonesia, Prof. Hikmahanto Juwana, Monday, August 14.

In the 44th AIPA General Session, the Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, who also holds the position of President of AIPA 2023, Puan Maharani, brought a number of major issues. For example, the threat of geopolitical tension that must be anticipated by Southeast Asian countries, one of which is by emphasizing ASEAN Solidarity.

Puan also asked for ASEAN's commitments in the midst of various global problems, ranging from the rivalry of great powers, the issue of poverty, inequality, industrialization, globalization, gender, health, education and the environment. He also reminded AIPA to resolve priority issues that are of common interest, among others, related to the fair world economic system and climate change mitigation.

According to Prof Hikmahanto, Puan has brought the Indonesian House of Representatives to participate in improving Indonesia's image through the issues it carries.

"This is an effort by state institutions to relevance Indonesia on a world stage that deserves appreciation," explained the Chancellor of Jenderal Achmad Yani University.

"Moreover, the 44th AIPA Session agreed on the formation of a special team that is trying to find a way out of the crisis in Myanmar," continued Prof Hikmahanto.

The AIPA General Assembly in Jakarta resulted in 30 resolutions from various AIPA committees to be adopted for the benefit of the Southeast Asian region. The resolution comes from the Women's Parliamentary Committee, the Young Parliamentary Committee or Young Parliamentarians of AIPA (YPA), the Committee for Political Affairs, the Committee for Economics, the Committee for Social Affairs, the Organizational Affairs Committee, and the Organizational Affairs Committee.

Some resolutions are proposals from the DPR representing Indonesia, one of which is the resolution of parliamentary cooperation to achieve long-term peace in Myanmar from the AIPA Political Affairs Committee. The committee also agreed to form a monitoring team from AIPA to monitor conflict peace efforts in Myanmar.

AIPA team will help monitor the implementation of the 5 Points Consensus for resolving the conflict in Myanmar which has been agreed upon by Southeast Asian countries. In addition, the AIPA team also plans to visit Myanmar to see firsthand the condition of the people there.

Not only about the Myanmar crisis, the AIPA General Assembly also discussed the issue of the South China Sea which is still a dispute over a number of countries in Southeast Asia. AIPA also discussed the Russian-Ukraine conflict which is still unfinished and has an impact globally, including in the ASEAN region.

More than that, the DPR also inserted a parliamentary diplomacy effort through its hospitality as the host. The 44th AIPA General Assembly was thick with cultural arts and tourism promotions to delegates.

"The AIPA trial also supports the Government's efforts to introduce various tourism objects in Indonesia, in addition to so that delegates can see the hospitality of the Indonesian people," explained Prof Hikmahanto.

The House of Representatives' hosting at this year's AIPA General Assembly received a lot of praise from ASEAN lawmakers, representatives of observer countries and organizations who were delegates at one of the prestigious international events.

Because the DPR presents a variety of cultural arts during the AIPA General Assembly. Like when the Gala Dinner where the delegates were presented with Indonesian cultural arts performances. Delegations are also satisfied with the culinary treats typical of various regions such as Soto Lamongan, Es Doger, to Surabi.

"The implementation is very organized, we delegates are very happy especially during the Gala Dinner and Solidarity Dinner, beyond our expectations," said Philippine Parliament Member Maria Rachel Arenas.

When Solidarity Dinner was closed after the closing of the 44th AIPA Session, the delegates were presented a dinner event decorated with a cultural stage. The DPR also invited delegates to interact to present cultural arts from their respective countries.

Puan Maharani even danced on the pulpit when DPR members who were also singers such as Kris Dayanti and Mulan Jameela sang dangdut as representatives of Indonesia. Delegations from other countries also enlivened their performances with mutual dangdutan, until they swayed Poco-poco and Maumere.

"I believe a lot of people dance and enjoy it. Overall this show is very successful," said Arenas.

The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Philippine Parliament also praised the way the DPR presented side events at the 44th AIPA General Assembly. Like when the DPR invited the AIPA delegation to visit Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) to see a miniature of Indonesia, and when the launch for Women ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Assembly (WAIPA) was for women's lawmakers AIPA.

During the event, the DPR introduced the AIPA female delegation with various batik patterns as Indonesian cultural heritage that UNESCO had recognized. Arenas admitted that he really enjoyed the event.

"I actually love batik. And I really support MSMEs that advance local products such as Batik," he said.

"I think the implementation of AIPA this year is quite successful and its success can be continued in the following years. Events in Indonesia this year can be adopted by the next host," added Arenas.