Reading Puan Maharani's Political Steps To Meet The Village Bill Demonstrators

Chairman Of The Indonesian House Of Representatives, Puan Maharani, Photo: Arief/Man

JAKARTA - The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, met directly representatives of the mass demonstration. Puan had an audience with representatives of the Association of Indonesian Village Governments (Apdesi) who held a demonstration in front of the DPR building regarding the revision of Law Number 6 of 2014 concerning Villages (RUU Desa).

"What Puan did was included as a responsive and dialogical approach in accepting mass representatives," said Political Communications Expert Silvanus Alvin, Wednesday, December 6.

When meeting with representatives of the demonstrators, Puan emphasized the DPR's commitment to discuss the revision of the Village Law (RUU Desa). Alvin said that the message conveyed by Puan further strengthened the role of the DPR as a continuation of aspirations.

"This also clearly shows the DPR's commitment to discussing the revision of the Village Law which reflects the implementation of the role of the DPR," said the lecturer at the Faculty of Communications, Universitas Multimedia Nusantara (UMN).

Alvin said that the DPR as a legislative institution has a responsibility to represent the voice of the people, listen to aspirations, and discuss laws according to the needs and expectations of the community.

Puan said that the duties and responsibilities had been shown by Puan by accommodating representatives of the mass demonstrations of the Village Bill, while at the same time providing an understanding of the legislative process.

"This approach also shows the involvement of the DPR in understanding and responding to issues raised by the community and ensuring that the legislative process takes place in accordance with the applicable legal mechanism," explained Alvin.

Alvin also highlighted how Puan's decision to hand over the leadership of the DPR Plenary Meeting to her representatives was to meet the demonstrators.

From this meeting too, Puan gave an example that the DPR should not be afraid to accept demonstrators. Accepting demonstrators is part of the responsibility of the legislature in listening to the aspirations of the people," said the British University of Leicester master graduate.

Alvin praised Puan's audience approach with Apdesi representatives. Moreover, Puan also signed a joint statement with Apdesi as a commitment to the DPR to discuss the Village Bill.

In addition, Puan maintains the DPR through the board's equipment (AKD) which will be appointed to discuss the Village Bill, will coordinate and hold meetings even though it is not in the trial period. From the hearing between Puan and the demonstrators, it also resulted in an agreement to form a working group (Pokja) with the Village Head organization.

Alvin said that the DPR's openness shown by Puan became more value for the council.

"Open approach to demonstrators can strengthen relations between the DPR and the public, and ensure that the policies produced reflect various views and needs of the community," said Alvin.

"Therefore, accepting demonstrators with an open attitude can be a positive step in carrying out the functions of representatives and participants of the DPR," he added.