JAKARTA - FISIPOL lecturer at Muhammadiyah University, West Sumatra, Hairunnas appreciated the DPR's quick response in responding to the demands of 17+8 people by issuing six points of decision as a result of the consultation meeting of the DPR leadership with factions.
One of the important decisions related to the salaries and allowances of the DPR has sparked public outrage.
Now according to him, the community is just waiting for the government and other institutions to meet the demands of the people as well as the DPR.
The DPR's move to stop member housing allowances since August 31, 2025, is the most evident indicator of the willingness of legislative institutions to reduce public dissatisfaction. Under normal conditions, the issue of allowances may be taken lightly. But in the context of a crisis of trust, the decision is an important political gesture," said Hairunnas, quoted Monday, September 6.
Hairunnas assessed that the DPR, which has been synonymous with privilege and resistance, is now trying to give a signal of change. According to him, the DPR's decision is not just an administrative technical, but symbolic about the people's dissatisfaction with the political elite's lifestyle.
"And that symbolism, in politics, is often stronger in its impact than in substantive policies," said Hairunnas.
However, Hairunnas stressed that appreciation of the DPR must still be placed in its corridors, because implementation has always been the toughest test. He also emphasized that without strict public control mechanisms, the DPR's steps are at risk of becoming a mere performance, and concrete actions from the executive are needed in this moment.
"How is it possible that public demands that are so wide are only responded to by one foot from the political tria? The DPR is indeed important, but the implementation of policies is in the hands of the executive," he said.
Hairunnas encourages the same steps and follow-up from the Government, and other institutions that have also received many demands from the public where this is stated in 17+8 of the People's Demands.
"The DPR has started to meet the demands of 17 + 8 people, of course the community is also waiting for follow-up from other institutions that have also received demands," said Hairunnas.
Nevertheless, Hairunnas emphasized that although the DPR has fulfilled some of the public's demands, there are much larger additional homework or homework. As a legislative institution, according to him, the DPR should not stop at symbolic responses.
"Their main task is to carry out their functions, supervision and legislation. The DPR must oversee the executive policy, ensure that the National Police carry out reforms, pressure the TNI to return to the barracks, and encourage the government to complete the economic reform agenda," said Hairunnas.
"This supervisory and legislative function will distinguish whether the DPR really learns from the crisis, or just relieves the pressure for a moment," he added.
On the other hand, Hairunnas sees President Prabowo Subianto showing quick action that deserves appreciation. The presence of the president to visit the residence of the Affan Kurniawan family and his invitation to students to the Palace, according to him, is a strong political and humanitarian gesture.
"This indicates that the President is well aware of public sensitivity. In the political context of the current era, symbols like this are important, because it shows the emotional closeness of the leader to the people," said Hairunnas.
"However, once again, gestures are not enough. The president must translate them into real implementations. Because without it, public sympathy can turn into cynicism," added the researcher at the Political Spectrum Institute.
Hairunnas also views that meeting students with the DPR on Wednesday, September 3, and continuing to meet the president on Thursday, September 4, is not the end, but the beginning of reform.
"This is the starting point for more inclusive consolidation of democracy. The DPR has started with positive steps, the President has shown a fast gesture, now it is the turn of other institutions who also need to answer historical challenges," explained Hairunnas.
"If all stakeholders move synergically, then 17 urgent demands can be met in the short term, while 8 medium-term reform agendas can be used as roadmaps for future democratic development," he continued.
For information, the DPR has answered 17 + 8 of the People's Demands submitted by the civil society coalition. As many as 17 points of demands were divided into several segments with the aim of each state institution and institution, namely the President, DPR, General Chairperson of Political Parties, Police, TNI, and the Ministry of Economic Sector.
For the DPR, this demand contains the task of freezing the increase in salaries / allowances for DPR members and canceling new facilities (including pensions), Publicing budget transparency (payments, allowances, houses, DPR facilities), encouraging the DPR Honorary Board to examine problematic members (including investigating through the KPK).
On the last day of the deadline to fulfill 17+8 of the People's Demands, the DPR gave an answer, namely on Friday (5/9). There were 6 answers from the DPR. Six points of decision as a result of the consultation meeting of the DPR leadership with the factions were read out by the Deputy Speaker of the DPR, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad.
"It was signed by the leadership of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Mrs. Puan Maharani, I am Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, and Mr. Saan Mustopa and Mr. Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal," said Dasco.
The six points of the DPR's decision are:
1. The DPR RI agreed to stop providing housing allowances for members of the DPR RI starting on August 31, 2025.
2. DPR RI conducts a moratorium on working abroad visits to the DPR RI starting from September 1, 2025, except for attending state invitations.
3. DPR RI will cut allowances and facilities for members of the DPR, after evaluation including subscription fees;
a. electric power and
b. telephone services, then iintensive communication costs and transportation allowance fees.
4. Members of the DPR RI who have been deactivated by their political parties have not paid their financial rights.
5. The leadership of the DPR follows up on the deactivation of several members of the DPR RI which has been carried out by political parties through their respective political party courts by asking the Honorary Court of the DPR RI to coordinate with the courts of their respective political parties that have started the examination of the members of the DPR RI in question.
6. The DPR RI will strengthen transparency and meaningful public participation in the legislative process and other policies.
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