The Interruption Of DPR Members Is Not Impossible, But Not During Closing Speeches

Chairman of the House of Representatives Mrs. Maharani (Photo of the House of Representatives DPR)

JAKARTA - The interruption of the DPR RI FPKS Member, Fahmi Alaydroes in the Plenary Meeting of the approval of the TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa became a polemic. Fahmi's attitude was deemed inappropriate because he only proposed an interruption when the Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, who was the chair of the session, was closing the Plenary Meeting which had a single agenda.

"If we see it as a democracy, it is permissible to interrupt. Members of the DPR have the right to speak, including interruptions. But we have to see how it is delivered," said Political Observer from Pelita Harapan University (UPH) Emrus Sihombing, Tuesday 9 November.

Fahmi Alaydroes had just made an interruption when Puan was delivering her closing speech after the council approved Andika Perkasa's name as the new TNI Commander. Emrus said that DPR members should have asked for an interruption when the chairperson of the session discussed the agenda at the beginning of the Plenary Meeting.

"If you have the closing speech, it means that before the closing the opportunity has been given to the parties. The members of the council should make maximum use of it. So how to convey the message effectively and efficiently, with limited time, "he said.

Emrus also criticized Fahmi, who then sneered at Puan. As members of the council, it is said that members of the DPR must uphold honor.

“Grumbling like that is out of place. That's called demeaning if we talk about the context of communication. In communication ethics, we must respect the views of others,” explained Emrus.

The Executive Director of Emrus Corner then praised Puan's attitude for not getting emotional even though she was ridiculed. According to Emrus, Puan's move to continue the Plenary Meeting was in accordance with the agreement on the agenda of the session.

"But I saw how Puan Maharani responded, she was calm, right. Casual and normal," he said.

Emrus also considered that Fahmi was not right in asking for an interruption because yesterday's Plenary Meeting, Monday (8/11), was a single agenda. In the Consultation Meeting of Leaders in Lieu of the Bamus Meeting, it was decided that the Plenary Meeting only had an agenda for making decisions regarding the approval of General Andika Perkasa as Commander of the TNI.

“And this is a single agenda. It doesn't feel right if there are interruptions for other contexts," said Emrus.

Emrus reminded that PKS has been in the DPR for a long time. According to him, PKS is able to understand how the mechanism of the Plenary Meeting has a single agenda.

"After all, if the Plenary Meeting agenda is not single, interruptions are always allowed and the DPR leadership is open and provides time to talk for members of the council," he said.

“The PKS has been in the DPR for a long time. That experience should be used. Experience is the best teacher,” concluded Emrus.