Saturday, December 20, 2008

Accountability and Parliamentary Oversight Seminar – Helsinki, 10 – 13 November 2008







The World Bank Institute (WBI) in partnership with the Parliament of Finland conducted the Accountability and Parliamentary Oversight Seminar, which took place in Helsinki , Finland from November 10-13, 2008. This event marked 10 years of cooperation between WBI and the Parliament of Finland. The purpose of this year’s event was to bring together Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff in order to discuss the internal and external oversight mechanisms and tools available to legislatures.




Parliament’s oversight function aims to ensure that the government and its agents use their powers and available resources appropriately and with probity, and in ways that respond to the needs and interests of all members of the community. Furthermore, oversight by parliaments and other autonomous accountability institutions can help guarantee that the decisions and actions of the government stay within the bounds of the law, thereby strengthening an open and accountable democracy. Ultimately, oversight enhances public confidence in the integrity of the government’s activities and encourages all groups in the community to accept the policies of the executive branch.

This seminar brought together 25 participants from Liberia , Ghana , Nigeria , Pakistan , Sri Lanka , Thailand , Tanzania and Indonesia (two members of the Public Accounts Committee and one member of parliamentary staff from each country). The Indonesian senate ( DPD-RI ) was represented by Deputy Speaker senator Laode Ida, senator Hamdhani from Central Kalimantan and Mr. Genius Umar, Director, International Affairs Secretariat of DPD-RI. Senator Laode brought a presentation on Legislative Oversight – The Mechanism and Tools and senator Hamdhani presented An Oversight as One of DPD-RI’s Functions and Government Accountability to the Society at Large.

Senator Laode Ida spoke about the big picture of the importance of the Legislative oversight , the characteristic and category of the oversight. He also explained the mechanism of DPD-RI oversight in general. Senator Hamdhani brought more details on how article 22 D (3) of the 1945 Constitution (Indonesian Constitution) mentioned that the DPD should oversee the implementation of laws concerning:
1. Regional Autonomy
2. Formation, Expansion, and Merger of Provinces
3. Relation between Central – Local Government
4. Management of Natural Resources
5. Implementation of State Budget and its Balance Budget between the Central and Local Government
6. Taxation, Education and Religion
The results of the said oversight will be submitted to Parliament (The House of Representatives/DPR) for their consideration.

Both presenters also reported the products of the DPD-RI’s oversight for the 2004 – 2008 period, that includes : 10 Initiatives of Bill, 83 Considerations on various Bills, both proposed by The President or The Lower House, 38 Oversight Results and 23 Decisions related to the State Revenue and Budget (APBN)

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Tanjung Puting National Park is Natural Wonder. Home of Orangutan and Wildlife including excotic tropical Jungle plant

You may not believe this after you have been there only one day or two days or, but after the third or forth day something happens. You are captivated completely by the purity of the air, the openness of the night sky with the most remarkable view of the Milky Way, the magnificence and dignity of the gentle orangutans, the thundering downpours that instantly cool the air, and the clarity of the brilliant crimson sunsets.
Tanjung Puting is the largest and most diverse protected example of extensive coastal tropical heath and peat swamp forest which used to cover much of southern Borneo.The area was originally declared as a game reserve in 1935 and a National Park in 1982. While the Park has checkered history of weak protection, nonetheless, it remains substantially wild and natural. Tanjung Puting is covered by a complex mosaic of diverse lowland habitats. It contains 3,040 sq km2 of low lying swampy terrain punctuated by blackwater rivers which flow into the Java Sea. At the mouth of these rivers and along the sea coast are found Nipa/mangrove swamps. Mangroves teem with animal life.
Tanjung Puting also includes tall dry ground tropical rain forest, primarily tropical heath forest, with a canopy of 40 meters (120 feet) with "emergents" exceeding 50 meters (150 ft) in height, seasonally inundated peat swamp forest with peat in layers two meters deep, open depression lakes formed by fire, and open areas of abandoned dry rice fields now covered with elephant grass and ferns. The tropical heath forest which is called "kerangas" in parts of Borneo, is only found on very poor, typically white-sandy soils and is characterized by medium-sized trees.
The best known animals in Tanjung Puting are the orangutans, made famous through the efforts of Orangutan Research and Conservation Program, which is based at the landmark Camp Leakey research station. Tanjung Puting also boasts the bizarre looking proboscis monkey with its "Jimmy Durante" nose as well as seven other primate species. Clouded leopards, civets, and Malaysian sun bears cavort in the park as do mouse deer, barking deer, sambar deer, and the wild cattle known as banteng. Tanjung Puting hosts over 220 species of birds, including hornbills, deep forest birds and many wetland species.
Tanjung Puting is well known for its "bird lakes" seasonal rookeries for a half a dozen species of endangered waterbirds, including the only known Bornean nesting grounds for white egrets. Tanjung Puting also has two species of crocodiles, dozens of snakes and frogs, numerous threatened species, including the fortune-bringing and highly endangered "dragon" fish also known as the Arwana (bony- tongue). Among the most flamboyant of these animals are the many species of colorful birds, butterflies, and moths found in the Park. Tanjung Puting sits on a peninsula that juts out into the Java Sea . The peninsula is low lying and swampy with a spine of dry ground which rises a few feet above the omnipresent swamp. Towards the north of Tanjung Puting is characterized by gentle hills and gold- bearing alluvial plains. Maps of the region commonly portray a ridge of mountains coming down into Tanjung Puting. This ridge does not exist, in fact, nowhere does the altitude rise above 100 feet in Tanjung Puting.
Tanjung Puting is a veritable hothouse of ecodiversity. The diverse habitat zones shelter slightly different fauna and flora providing a great variety of microhabitats for plants and animals and thus, the opportunity for many species to be present in close proximity. In a Bornean context, tropical heath forest by itself is not representative of the largest trees, the tallest canopy, or the most diverse ecosystem.Tropical swamp ecosystems are little represented in protected areas throughout Southeast Asia but are omnipresent in Tanjung Puting. In the peat swamp forest, many trees have stilt roots or aerial roots as adaptations to frequent flooding. Aside from its remarkable biological attributes, Tanjung Puting is highly important for the well-being of the surrounding local human population. The wetlands provide vital ecological services such as flood control, stream control regulation, erosion control, natural biological filtration system, and seasonal nurseries for fish which are the major source of local animal protein. Many of these services have an impact well beyond the local area. For instance, the waters surrounding Tanjung Puting attract fishing vessels from many different parts of Indonesia. In addition, local peoplebenefit from a great variety of forest products including honey, waxes, aromatic woods, fibers for ropes and cloth, medicinal plants, fuel oils, thatching materials, rattan, firewood, incense, wild rubber, edible latexes, resins, natural pesticides, fungicides and possible virocides.
For the above reasons and many other reasons not noted, Tanjung Puting is recognized as one of the most important and outstanding provincial treasures in Kalimantan Tengah. The national government has also made a strong commitment to protect the forest, its wildlife and to manage the park wisely. Tanjung Puting has increasingly gained international prestige and recognition. As a result, more and more visitors from throughout the world are experiencing a fresh new outlook on nature and an appreciation of the tropical rain forest which was humankind's original "Garden of Eden."

Thursday, November 20, 2008

UN Climate Change Conference- Bali 2007 Optimistic Views on the Opening

Nusa Dua, 3 December 2007.

Optimistic feeling is shared during the opening of the thirteenth Conference on Climate Change in Bali International Convention Center, Westin Hotel, Nusa Dua, Bali, according to Emil Salim, Head of Delegation of the Republic of Indonesia. Several positive points includes: Australia’s commitment to sign the Kyoto Protocol, concrete talks regarding adaptation funds mechanism, and EU’s commitment to reduce their carbon emission below the 1990 level at the year 2020.
The positive signs made Emil Salim very optimistic that there will be a new framework being produced in Bali for the post-2012 agreement.


Secretary of UNFCCC Yvo de Boer opens the United Nations Climate Change Conference on December 3, 2007, in Bali Indonesia.






The next two-week meetings will produce report regarding dialogues on Long-term Action Plans for Climate Change through the Convention Implementation.


The opening, held on Plenary Hall, had gathered 1172 representatives from 180 countries. The Indonesian Minister of Environment, Rachmat Witoelar was elected as the President of COP-13, succeeding the previous COP President, David Mwiraria from Kenya.


The United Nations Climate Change Conference opened on December 3, 2007, in Bali Indonesia . Rachmat Witular, Minister of Environment as the President of COP 13 shook hand with the President of COP12 David Mwiraria




According to Emil Salim, this Bali meeting will lay foundations on talks and negotiations to formulate post Kyoto Protocol framework, which will be continued in Poland at 2008 and end in Denmark at 2009.

Oxfam's Polar Bears protested in support of humans who are also losing their habitat and natural resources due to Climate Change at the UN Climate Change Conference on Thursday 6 December, 2007. Photo: Ng Swan Ti



The most dramatic moment from the first meeting session is Australia Delegation’s statement to ratify Kyoto Protocol as soon as possible, which will legitimize their position as member of the Parties and can officially negotiate for the next sessions. Two years after Prime Minister John Howard refuse to sign the Kyoto Protocol in 2005, Australia’s change of position will make United States of America as the only major carbon-emitting industrialized country who refuse to be a part of the Protocol Kyoto.


In this conference, all parties will discuss the next steps on handling climate change through action mechanism for post-2012. Since years of lobbies and negotiations were more focusing on mitigation effort, the Bali conference will hopefully give adaptation mechanism higher priority on the agenda.



Emil Salim wished this Bali meeting can reach agreement on several practical steps in assisting developing countries to develop their own adaptation strategies. Such example includes Indonesia’s effort to reduce emission from deforestation (which contributes 20% of the total greenhouse gas emission in the world), and attention to adaptation capacity building for small-island States. Hopefully, Bali can facilitate all concrete agreement on capacity building in developing countries

Source : United Nations Framework of Climate Change Convention - UNCCC Bali 2007- Press Release 03/12/2007 http://www.menlh.go.id/

UN CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE 2007- BALI - BALI ROAD MAP

UN Climate Change ConferenceBali 2007 Repor





Delegates rise to applaud the decision to adopt the "Bali roadmap" for a future international agreement on climate change

The Conference, hosted by the Government of Indonesia, took place at the Bali International Convention Centre and brought together more than 10,000 participants, including representatives of over 180 countries together with observers from intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations and the media. The two week period included the sessions of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, its subsidiary bodies as well as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. A ministerial segment in the second week concluded the Conference.

The conference culminated in the adoption of the Bali Road Map, which consists of a number of forward-looking decisions that represent the various tracks that are essential to reaching a secure climate future. The Bali Road Map includes the Bali Action Plan, which charts the course for a new negotiating process designed to tackle climate change, with the aim of completing this by 2009. It also includes the AWG-KP negotiations and their 2009 deadline, the launch of the Adaptation Fund, the scope and content of the Article 9 review of the Kyoto Protocol, as well as decisions on technology transfer and on reducing emissions from deforestation (see the President's closing remarks below).
Clising Statement of Rachmat Witoelar-UN Climate Change Meeting Dec 2007





Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The Bali Communiqué - UN Climate Change Conference 2007

This communiqué comes from the business leaders of over 150 global companies. It is being issued in advance of the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2007, taking place from December 3 to 14 in Bali, Indonesia.

The scientific evidence is now overwhelming. Climate change presents very serious global social, environmental and economic risks and it demands an urgent global response.
As business leaders, it is our belief that the benefits of strong, early action on climate change outweigh the costs of not acting:

The economic and geopolitical costs of unabated climate change could be very severe and globally disruptive. All countries and economies will be affected, but it will be the poorest countries that will suffer earliest and the most. The costs of action to reduce greenhouse gasses emissions in order to avoid the worst impacts of climate change are manageable, especially if guided by a common international vision. Each year we delay action to control global emissions increases the risk of unavoidable consequences that will likely necessitate even steeper reductions in the future, causing potentially greater economic, environmental and social disruption. The shift to a low - carbon economy will create significant business opportunities. New markets for low-carbon technologies and products, worth billions of dollars, will be created if the world acts on the scale required. In summary, we believe that tackling climate change is the pro-growth strategy. Ignoring it will ultimately undermine economic growth.

It is our view that a sufficiently ambitious, international and comprehensive legally binding United Nations agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will provide business with the certainty it needs to scale up global investment in low-carbon technologies. We believe that an enhanced and extended carbon market
needs to be part of this framework as it offers the necessary flexibility, allows for a cost-effective transition and provides financial support to developing countries.

In order to avoid dangerous climate change, the overall targets for emissions reduction must be guided primarily by science. Even an immediate peaking in global emissions would require a subsequent reduction of at least 50% by 2050, according to the Fourth Assesment Report of the
Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change, and the later the peak in emissions, the greater the required reduction. All countries will need to play their part but we recognise that the greatest effort must be made by those countries that have already industrialised.

At the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December in Bali, Indonesia, countries will have an opportunity to agree a work-plan of comprehensive negotiations to ensure such an agreement can be signed in Copenhagen in2009, to come into force post 2012.

We urge world leaders to seize this window of opportunity.
In return, we pledge to engage positively with governments to help develop the policies and measures that are needed internationally and nationally for the business sector to contribute effectively to building a low carbon economy.
Source : wikipedia

Monday, November 17, 2008

SENATOR HAMDHANI VISITED AFFORESTATION PROJECT IN CENTRAL KALIMANTAN, 31 May 2008

Senator Hamdhani and senator Nyoman Rudana from Bali, flew to Central Kalimantan to visit an afforestation program of Korindo, a South Korea group of companies.

Senator Hamdhani, senator Nyoman Rudana and Minister of Forestry MS. Kaban




Afforestation or tree planting has been consistently pursued by Korindo to develop timber business, preserve the tropical forest cover and protect global environment. Their activities in timber plantations are based on the philosophy of placing a great emphasis on enviromental proctection, human resources development and responsibility in and around forest areas.

This event was attended by The Indonesian Minister of Forestry Mr. M.S. Kaban and South Korea Minister of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Senator Hamdhani, along with the Ministers and Senator Nyoman Rudana, planted a tree, as a symbol to our commitment to preserve the earth from the effect of global warming, where we all know that forest plays a major role for carbon sequestration to avoid global warming. For myself, preserving the nature is inline with Balinese philosophy Trihita Karana, which is harmonizing the relationship between God and human beings, human beings with their fellowmen, and human beings with their environment.

The ceremony of the afforestation project









INDONESIAN REGIONAL INVESTMENT FORUM ( IRIF ) 2008, 26 – 27 May 2008 at Ritz Carlton Hotel, One Pasific Place, Jakarta

Investment Forum ( IRIF ) 2008, 26 – 27 May 2008 in The Ritz Carlton Hotel , One Pasific Place, Jakarta. It brought a topic of Reaching for the tipping point: Emerging Indonesia 2008. IRIF is the leading forum for investment in Indonesia. Investors can meet directly with the Indonesian leadership and discuss projects for investment from a wide range of industry sectors including mining & energy, oil & gas, agribusiness and tourism. It hosted by The House of Regional Representatives of The Republic of Indonesia ( DPD – RI ) and inaugurated by President SBY.

Senator Nyoman Rudana from Bali,Thaksin Sinawatra, former Prime Minister of Thailand, and senator Hamdhani from Central Kalimantan.


With fellow DPD member senator Nyoman Rudana from Bali ( left ), business woman Mien Uno and his son Sandiaga Uno, and Mrs. Siti Nurbaya, Secretary General of DPD RI.

This forum was organized by Global Initiative and initiated by the Regional Representatives Council (DPD – RI ). President SBY inaugurated it on 26 May 2008. Global Initiative is an organization which promotes positive social change and sustainable global development through international events and media projects.

Kenichi Ohmae



IRIF 2008 was attended by around 1,000 participants and invited many top notch speakers including former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the chief commissioner of Malaysia’s Sima Darby, Tun Musa Hitam, and the CEO of Malaysia’s Khazanah Nasional, Dato Azman. Kenichi Ohmae, , described as ‘Mr Strategy’ worldwide and selected by The Economist as one of the top five management gurus in the world and the author of The End of the Nation State.

Thaksin Sinawatra, former Prime Minister of Thailand


Among Indonesian government officials spoke at the forum were Trade Minister Mari Pangestu, Finance Minister Mrs. Sri Mulyani, Deputy Governor of the Indonesian Central Bank Mrs. Miranda Gultom, , and State Enterprises Minister Sofyan Djalil

Sri Mulyani ( left ) and Miranda Gultom ( center ).


Left to right : Dato Musa Hitam, Tanri Abeng, James Riady. and Sandiaga Uno

IRIF 2008 to Offer 200 Projects Worth US$19 Billion









The Indonesian Regional Investment Forum (IRIF) will offer some 200 projects worth US$19 billion to foreign investors in the oil and gas, mining, agribusiness, infrastructure and tourism sectors, a spokesman said. "The amount and value of the projects will be higher than the previous IRIF in 2006 which only offered 60 projects," CEO of Global Initiatives Tony Gourlay said here Wednesday. In 2008, Global Initiatives was cooperating with the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) and some state-run companies to conduct the forum scheduled to be held from May 26 through 27. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was scheduled to open the forum. Tony said the forum would offer investment potentials in 35 districts to some 300 investors from 20 countries among others from Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, China, India, the Middle East, the United States and some European countries. "It is time for local governments to play wider roles in attracting investors. Before offering investment cooperation, it would need local government's preparedness in business as well as legal aspects," he added. The largest project offered in the forum is the construction of oil refinery in Banten Province worth US$4 billion while the smallest project is development of cattle farm in Central Sulawesi Province worth US$81,000. "But the most important thing is that the projects could open job opportunities and improve people's welfare," he said. Most of the projects offered in the forum are in infrastructure sector among others construction of Penajam bridge in Balikpapan, Batam-Bintan bridge, agribusiness terminal in Balaraja, Karian dam, Cilegon-Bojonegoro toll road, Bojonegoro international port, Kaliwungu port in Kendal, Maloy port and Sangkimah airport in East Kutai, and international container port in Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan. Other projects are geothermal power plant in Cisukarame, Cisolok and Tampomas, West Java, Lati Berau steam-generated power plant in Berau district of East Kalimantan and in Bau-bau district of Southeast Sulawesi. More than 1,000 investors would attend the forum, including former Thai prime minister and founder of Shin Corp, Thaksin Shinawatra, President Commissioner of Sima Darby, Tun Musa Hitam, and CEO Khazanah Nasional Dato, Azman bin Mokhtar. They would also shared their tips to get success to other participants including local government leaders and executives of national companies.
IRI meeting




Two economists would share the strategy to invest, namely Kenneth S Courtis, former vice president of Goldman Sachs and Chief Economist & Strategist, Managing Director Deutsche Bank, and Kenichi Ohmae, founder and managing director of Ohmae and Associates. Deputy Chief of DPD, Irman Gusman said, IRIF is expected to inspire Indonesian businessmen to expand their business thus it could support the country's economic growth. "This is in line with the aim of DPD, to increase economic growth through empowerment of regional projects," he said. While former minister of state enterprises, Tanri Abeng said, local governments should take the benefit from IRIF 2008 to increase its economic growth. "Investors, especially foreign investors, are keen to directly invest in regions. But local government must have clear information on its potential and cut short bureaucracy," Tanri said.
With HE Thaksin Sinawatra, former Prime Minister of Thailand






Source : Antara - 22 May 2008

Thursday, November 13, 2008

INDONESIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER ADDRESSES 116TH IPU ASSEMBLY: "MORE PEOPLE ARE BEING KILLED TODAY THAN IN THE TWO DECADES BEFORE THE END OF THE COLD WAR"




HE DR. Hassan Wirajuda, Minister of Foreign Affairs


The Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Hassan Wirajuda, speaking today at the 116th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, referred to the surge of hope that had emerged two decades ago that many of the world's problems would simply go away with the end of the Cold War, that the world would enjoy the blessings of information technology, where the cause of economic and social development would benefit from the peace dividend. But, he added, "there was no peace dividend. And there was no peace. Unilateralism reasserted itself in global affairs. The number of armed conflicts increased. Some old conflicts, like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, have persisted, and new ones, like the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, have broken out".

The Indonesian Foreign Minister also mentioned the problem of international terrorism, a topic that the 116th Assembly will debate as an emergency item. "More people are being killed today than in the two decades before the end of the Cold War. And today, a new security threat that can inflict unprecedented suffering on humankind looms on the horizon: global warming. This means that, 15 years after the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and almost a decade after the Kyoto Protocol, nothing decisive has been done by the developed and developing world together in a partnership to sustain the environment".


Speaking on the topic of global partnership, Dr. Wirajuda declared that "the remedy is to take an intermediate step, to move from national to global by way of the regional. This means promoting regional cooperation and making it a constant and vigorous complement of all our global undertakings. Regional is a powerful motivator. When confronted with a major problem or threat in their immediate geographical neighbourhood, nations instinctively group together and address that problem or threat together".

Dr. Wirajuda concluded his remarks by saying that "every successful regional order can serve as an important building block in the construction of the edifice that is an enhanced world order. Then we will have a world in which nations, regions and the entire human race are interconnected and aware of their indivisible destiny".

In the afternoon, the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Dr. Budiono, also addressed the Assembly. He explained that among the countries affected by the 1997 crisis, Indonesia was the hardest hit and the slowest to recover. "We had to restart the economy from a low level and we had to do that at the same time as we undertook a tricky process of political transition. In the past decade the economy has been steadily edging up from the negative growth territory to the positive while our democracy is also taking root".

Dr. Budiono stressed that "job creation and poverty reduction are important goals in themselves as well as instrumental for successful political development in a young democracy such as Indonesia." The key was to accelerate economic growth while maintaining economic stability, a "conventional" policy that had to be supplemented with a proactive approach to meeting basic needs, empowering the poor and small enterprises and generating jobs, including by facilitating overseas employment for domestic labour forces.

Source : IPU - Press Release – 1 May 2007

LEGISLATORS CALL FOR ACTION TO AVERT DANGEROUS HUMAN INTERFERENCE IN CLIMATE SYSTEM



The 116th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which was attended by some 600 parliamentarians (including 150 women) from 111 countries, has endorsed a declaration calling on parliaments to foster increased community understanding of the threat of climate change and the action needed to avert dangerous human interference in the climate system.



The declaration expresses deep concern at the growing body of scientific evidence on the probable adverse impact of climate change. "The developing countries are likely to suffer most because they lack the capacity to cope with natural disasters, and they will continue to pay a heavy toll in casualties and destroyed infrastructure".


With Senator Nyoman Rudana from Bali at the session of during IPU meeting






The legislators gathered in Nusa Dua urged the 13th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Climate Change Convention, which will convene in Bali in December 2007, to formulate a feasible road map for long-term cooperation on the Convention's implementation and to pursue negotiations on the measures required to ensure continuity beyond the Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period. They pledged to raise the issue of climate change in parliaments, to ask ministers about their preparation for the Bali meeting and to report back to the IPU.


Building bridges between religions and culturesThe legislators also adopted several resolutions. Under the agenda item "Ensuring respect for and peaceful co-existence between all religious communities and beliefs in a globalized world", the IPU Assembly agreed on a number of concrete recommendations to promote universal values while recognizing the multicultural diversity of societies. It urges parliaments "to take effective measures to combat incitement to, or acts of violence, intimidation and coercion motivated by hatred and intolerance based on culture, religion or belief" and to ensure "that religious and cultural sites are fully respected and protected". In addition, law enforcement officers, military personnel, educators, civil servants and other public officials must "respect different religions and beliefs and not discriminate against persons professing other religions or beliefs"; the requisite education and training must also be provided.


In recognition of the critical role of the media in cultural and religious debates, parliaments also pledged "to take effective measures to protect freedom of the press and freedom of expression and to enact legislation which promotes the ethical responsibility that goes with these freedoms, particularly not to incite hatred, racism, xenophobia, and human rights violations."


With fellow DPD members


Training, education, and safety nets key in the age of global competitionIn a second resolution, on "Job creation and employment security in the era of globalization", policy-makers said that globalization will only be fair if pro-active measures are taken to provide all people with an opportunity to find "decent work", as defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO), and with safety nets enabling them to take up other occupations or undergo further training and skills development.


To facilitate such policies, trade unions and employers must work together. The resolution "encourages all social partners, including employers' and employees' organizations, to engage in effective and inclusive social dialogue aimed at identifying policy tools and operational procedures for creating more jobs, reducing unemployment, and improving employability through skills development". It also calls on "corporations to follow the principles of corporate social responsibility" and for more incentives and greater support for the self-employed, small businesses and cooperatives. It also discusses measures to protect women workers or entrepreneurs, people with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups from workplace discrimination.

The rules of political life are strengthenedA resolution on "Promoting diversity and equal rights for all through universal democratic and electoral standards" calls on parliaments "to promote, monitor and evaluate the participation of minority groups and vulnerable members of society in the electoral process".


Coming on the 10th anniversary of the IPU's Universal Declaration on Democracy, the resolution also reaffirms all of the principles set out in that declaration. It urges governments "to provide a level playing field and give equal opportunities to all candidates and political parties to take part in the democratic and electoral process and to ensure fair access to the media."

The resolution also calls on parliaments "to prevent interference by foreign governments in other countries' elections and democratic processes, and stresses the responsibility of the international community to ensure respect for the outcome of free and fair elections".

Legislators pledge to fight violence against childrenThe 116th IPU Assembly also discussed violence against children. A video on the child protection projects visited by an IPU/UNICEF group during a field visit to Nusa Tenggara Barat, on the island of Lombok, was commented by Mrs. Kay Hull, member of the Australian Parliament. "We thank the IPU and UNICEF for the opportunity to be involved and we recommend that more delegates be able to have such meaningful exposure to the many issues of your host countries", she said.



Source : IPU Press Release – 4 May 2007

116th IPU ASSEMBLY - Nusa Dua, Bali (Indonesia), 29 April - 4 May 2007

The 116 th Assembly of IPU Meeting Complete Report - May 2007











AGENDA OF THE ASSEMBLY

Item 1 Election of the President and Vice-Presidents of the 116th Assembly

Item 2 Consideration of possible requests for the inclusion of an emergency item in the Assembly agenda

Item 3 General debate on the political, economic and social situation in the world with the overall theme of Global warming: ten years after Kyoto
Item 4 Ensuring respect for and peaceful co-existence between all religious communities and beliefs in a globalized world
(Standing Committee on Peace and International Security)

Item 5 Job creation and employment security in the era of globalization
(Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Finance and Trade)


With the late former Minister of Foreign affair H.E Ali Alatas at the 116th Assembly of IPU Meeting



Item 6 Promoting diversity and equal rights for all through universal democratic and electoral standards
(Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights)

Item 7 Approval of the subject items for the 118th Assembly and appointment of the Rapporteurs

Item 8 International cooperation to combat terrorism, its root causes and its financing, including cross-border funding (Emergency item)
With fellow delegates from around the world

Thursday, October 30, 2008

About Myself

I was born in Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan, on 19 September 1964. I’m happily married to Eny Suherdiyani, I have been blessed with three adorable children, first born son Radifan Lutfi Rahman ( 14 years old ), daughter Tazkia Shahnaz Anjani ( 13 years old ) and the youngest son M.Rafi Husaini Rahman ( 1 year and 4 months old ). I spent my school days up to high school in my hometown in Pangkalan Bun and then headed to Jakarta to continue my college study in 1984. I graduated from The National University –Jakarta in 1989, majoring in Social and Political Science.



Since January 2007, I have been serving my country as a member of The House of Regional Representatives of The Republic of Indonesia or DPD – RI ( Dewan Perwakilan Daerah - RI ) in bahasa , representing Central Kalimantan. I replaced the late H. Abi Kusno Nachran who passed away due to car accident.



Signing up an agreement in front of Senator Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Chairperson of DPD-RI, after my inauguration as a DPD-RI member for Central Kalimantan, January 2007.



I’m in charge in Ad Hoc Committee II, responsible for the management of natural resources and other economic resources. I’m also in charge in several supporting committees such as the Ethics Council ( Badan Kehormatan / BK ), which duties is ensuring appropriate conduct by the members of the DPD-RI, and Committee for International Cooperation ( Panitia Kerjasama Antar Lembaga Pemerintah / PKALP ), which aims at establishing good relationships and cooperation with other representative institutions and acts as the main interlocutor for foreign assistance to the DPD-RI.


Waiting for Iftar ( fasting break ) at the holy month of Ramadhan, with the locals at the Sabuai Beach, Kumai area, West Kotawaringin Region, Central Kalimantan, September 2008



I’m also in charge in The House Committee ( Panitia Urusan Rumah Tangga / PURT ), which deals with DPD-RI’s internal housekeeping policies. I’m also incharge in several other committees in DPD-RI; as a member of The Corruption Erradication Team, Vice Chairman of the Political Special Committee, Chairman of the Bill of Natural Resources, Secretary of the Bill of Land Conflagration and as a member of the Team of the Amendment of the 1945 Constitution.

Delivering speech at one of the DPD-RI Plenary Meeting- 2008




DPD RI has given me a greater perspective to serve my country in formal legislation institution, and I took that chance by participating in many important events, such as the member of Committee of IRIF ( Indonesian Regional Investment Forum ) DPD-RI in Ritz Carlton Hotel, Jakarta, in 2008, one of DPD-RI delegates in The 116th Assembly Meeting of IPU ( Inter Parliamentary Union ) in Nusa Dua, Bali, 29 April – 4 May 2007, and e- Parliament Hearing in Alila Hotel Ubud, Bali, on 15 – 16 December 2007 .


With senator Ali Muchtar Ngabalin (left ) from Moon Star Party and senator Nyoman Rudana from Bali at IPU meeting in Bali, December 2007


Left to right : senator Irman Gusman, Vice Chairperson of DPD-RI, senator Nyoman Rudana from DPD RI for Bali, Thaksin Sinawatra, former Prime Minister of Thailand, and myself, at IRIF 2008




I’m also participated as an Indonesian delegate for the International Parliament Meeting in Geneve, Switzerland in 2007, Senates Comparison Study in Germany, Nederland and Belgium in 2007, and as one of DPD RI delegates to the Accountability and Parliamentary Oversight Seminar sponsored by World Bank in Helsinki, Finland, in November 2008.Even before I joined DPD-RI, I was actively involved in many organizations, such as : . Jaycess ( Junior Chamber International ) 1999 - 2002, Vice Chairman of Human Resources of Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry( Kadin ) 2004 - 2008, and member of the Department of Busines Development of The Indonesian Young Entrepreneur Association ( HIPMI ), 1999 – 2002.I also had a chance to attend the Asia Facific Forum – Junior Chamber International on 18 June 1999 in Nusa Dua, Bali, and became an observer of yearly meeting of The People’s Consultative Assembly ( MPR RI ) from 2000 – 2003.


Exchanging souvenir with members of the European Union commission in Brussel, Belgium, November 2007



As a devoted Moslem, I took part in handling the drugs addicted patients in Pondok Pesantren Suryalaya, Tasikmalaya., West Java and Khadijah Mosque in Singapore.


I used to work in a private sector before I joined DPD, as a general affair staff in PT. Korindo, a big Korean company with many Business Units in Pangkalan Bun in 1984 – 1986 and transferred to Jakarta from 1987 – 1992. Later on I worked in PT. Maewoo Indonesia, a Korean garment company from 1991 – 1994, and moved to PT. Debesindo Indah where I was in charge in Business Development Department. I started to work as entrepreneur since 1997, as an investment and legal consultant, and in since I have been in charge as a DPD member, I handed over the business to my wife and relatives.


I take time writing, mostly about politics and investment and have been posting my articles in Palangkaraya Post and Borneo News. When it comes to sports, I like golfing, jogging, tennis and taekwondo.Mastering in foreign languages are important for my job, therefore I speak English, Arabic and Korean. I speak Korean fluently due to my relationships with Koreans in Central Kalimantan.

Monday, October 27, 2008

The House of Regional Representatives of The Republic of Indonesia ( DPD RI ) at a Glance

An Overview of DPD_RI




WHAT IS THE DPD-RI

The House of Regional Representatives of The Republic of Indonesia or Dewan Perwakilan Daerah Republik Indonesia ( DPD – RI ) is a legislative chamber that was established in 2004 and focuses on regional affairs. It is sometimes called as Regional Representatives Council . Each province has four representatives who are elected in a general election every five years as independent candidates। The DPD RI is located in the National Parliamentary Compound in Senayan area in South Jakarta .




Senator Hamdhani delivered speech at DPD Plenary Meeting 2008








WHY WAS THE DPD RI CREATED

The DPD-RI was created to give a voice to the regions in national politics.
It conveys the aspirations of the provinces to the House of Representatives or Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat ( DPR –RI) and to the central government by proposing policies and legislation. By acting as a bridge between the regions and national government, the DPD-RI aims to improve the welfare of the people in the regions.

The creation of the DPD-RI was one of the fruits of the reform movement that ended the domination of Indonesia’s authoritarian regime, or New Order in 1998. During the 50 years prior to reformation movement in 1998, the central government wielded strong control over the regions, particularly over political life and economic policies.

This led to weak political participation by ordinary people and to economicpolicies that often fell short of meeting the needs and demands of the people of the regions.

Through the 3rd amendment to the 1945 Constitution in 2001, an agreement was reached to create the DPD-RI. This new legislative body aims to ensure that the issues faced by the regionswill receive more attention from the central government than they did in the past.




President SBY delivered his speech on regional development at the Plenary Meeting of DPD-RI, 22 August 2008









Since the DPD RI was established through the April 2004 elections,the Indonesian parliament has had two legislative chambers – the DPR-RI and the DPD-RI, which together constitute the MPR-RI ( People’s Consultative Assembly ), in their capacity as membersof the MPR-RI, the DPD-RI members have the powers to amend the Constitution and to dismiss the President and or Vice President during his / her term of office in accordance with the Constitution.

In the DPD-RI, the first house of MPR-RI, provinces with larger populations have larger numbers of seats. By contrast, in the DPD-RI, every province has the same number of seats. This means that in the DPD-RI, all the provinces have equal powers.

The members of DPD-RI are independent figures who are wellknown to the public in their respective provinces. They are elected directly in a general election.





Senator Hamdhani with senator GKR. Ratu Hemas, wife of the Sultan


of Yogya and other DPD members at DPD-RI office.










WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE DPD-RI

The DPD-RI is constantly communicating with the public in the regions and local governments and consults with experts to formulate improvements in government policy and to ensure their implementation.

1. Propose Bills to the DPR-RI

Only bills that deals with regional autonomy, relations between the central and regional governments, establishing, partitioning and merging regions, management of natural resources and other economic resources, and fiscal equalization between the central and regional governments.

2. Participate in the discussion of bills together with the DPR-RI

The DPD-RI may take part in discussion of bills related for regional autonomy that have proposedby either government or the DPR-RI, limited to only the bills mentioned under heading ( 1 ) above.

3. Provide advice to the DPR-RI

The DPD-RI provides advice to the DPR-RI on bills relating to the State Budget, taxation, education, and religious affairs; it also provides opinions to the DPR-RI in the selection of members of the BPK ( National Audit Board ).


4. Oversee the implementation of laws

Laws on regional autonomy, establishment, partitioning, and merging of regions; relations between the central and regional governments; management of natural resources and the other economic resources; implementation of the State Budget; taxation, education and religious affairs.

DIVERSITY OF MEMBERS

The DPD-RI consists of the four members per province, or 128 members who represent the 32 provinces of the Republic of Indonesia. The newly established Province of West Sulawesi is represented by the four members elected in Southeast Sulawesi.

For the first period of 2004 – 2009, political party officials are forbidden to become the members of DPD RI, but for the next period of 2009 – 2013, there are several major changes of the DPD-RI candidates prerequisites, including that the members of political parties are eligible to apply as the candidate of DPD RI.







STRATEGIC VISION AND MISSION

Vision of the DPD-RI

To become a strong, equal and effective legislative institution to struggle for the aspirations of the people and the regions to achieve a dignified, prosperous and just Indonesian society within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.

Mission of DPD-RI

1. To enhance the role and position of the DPD-RIin order to strengthen Indonesia’s system of checks and balances through the amendment of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia.

2. To struggle for the aspirations of the people and the regions to achieve equiatable and sustainable public welfare.

3. To develop mutual cooperation with the main stakeholders in the regions and the center.

4. To attract greater attention from the central government on important regional issues. To strive for greater legislative powers in order to better represent the regions.



With fellow DPD members from different regions, after meeting





STRATEGIC ISSUES 2004 -2009

As representatives of the provinces, the DPD-RI members must have strong links with their constituents. In order to achieve this, they must continuously interact with the regions. This is why the DPD-RI’s legislative calendar requires members to go back to their provinces during recess in order to maintain these strong links.

In the effort to represent the aspirations of the people in the regions, intensive consultations between the DPD-RI members and their constituents during the DPD-RI’s first year of operations produced eight strategic issues that will be the priority of the DPD-RI in its current mandate until 2009. These eight strategic issues are :
1. Health and education.
2. Empowerment of women and guarantees for the welfare of children.
3. Regional autonomy, balance of ower between the center and the regions, reducing economy
inequality between regions and management of natural resources.
4. Active participation in the making of the draft national budget.
5. Oversee the implementation of the national budget.
6. Eradication of corruption.
7. Protection of traditional rights and cultures.
8. Understanding and applying religious values in society.

MAIN TASKS OF THE DPD – RI 2004 – 2009

Ad Hoc Committees ( Panitia Ad Hoc or PAH ) are the core committees of the DPD-RI. Their purpose is to discuss bills tabled by the government, the DPR RI and the DPD-RI itself.

The duties of the Ad Hoc committees are to ensure that the DPD-RI’s coreb Advisory and Oversight functions are carried out effectively. The Ad Hoc committees are responsible tocoordinate relevant research, policy analysis and draft the DPD-RI’s consideration ( formal report with recommendations ) to be submitted to the DPR-RI.

The Ad Hoc Committees have the following areas of jurisdiction :
Ad Hoc Committee I is responsible for regional autonomy, center - regions relationship, establishment, partitioning and merger of regions.
Ad Hoc Committee II is responsible for management of natural resources and other economic resources.
Ad Hoc Committee III is responsible for education, religious affairs, health and empowerment of women.
Ad Hoc Committee IV is responsible for ensuring center – regions financial equality, and deliberation on the selection process of National Audit Board ( BPK ) members.

In addition, the DPD has six supporting committees, as follows :
1. Consultative Committee ( Panitia Musyawarah /PANMUS ) is a body with primary responsibility is to determine the agenda of DPD-RI.

2. Committee for International Cooperation ( Panitia Kerjasama Antar Lembaga Pemerintah / PKALP ) is a committee aims at establishing good relationships and cooperation with other representative institutions and acts as the main interlocutor for foreign assistance to the DPD-RI.

3. Bill Drafting Committee ( Panitia Perancang Undang – Undang / PPUU ) is a committee responsible for preparing the bills that are discussed by the DPD-RI or those for submittal to the DPD-RI, and to develop internal house rules ( Standing Orders ) for the DPD-RI.

4. Ethics Council ( Badan Kehormatan / BK ) is a committee ensures appropriate conduct by the members of the DPD-RI. It conducts investigations and verifications of complaints by and / or about DPD-RI members.

5. House of Committee ( Panitia Urusan Rumah Tangga / PURT ) deals with the DPD-RI’s internal housekeeping policies. The duties of the committee are to assist the DPD-RI leadership in planning and preparing budget for effective operations of the DPD-RI.

6. DPD-RI Task Force in the MPR-RI ( Kelompok Anggota DPD di MPR RI ) consists of a group of 32 DPD-RI members whose aim is to maximize the effectiveness of the DPD-RI by lobbying party grouping in the MPR-RI in order to achieve strategic goals.

The DPD-RI Leadership : let to right : Laode Ida, Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Irman Gusman


THE DPD RI LEADERSHIP

The leadership of the DPD-RI consists of Chairperson and a maximum of two Vice Chairpersons. Under the DPD-RI’s Standing Orders, the composition of the DPD-RI Leadership must reflect representation for the regions of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. This entails representation for three broad regions :
The Western Region, comprising the islands of Sumatra, the Riau Islands and the Banka – Belitung Islands.
The Central Region, comprising the islands of Java, Bali and Kalimantan ( Borneo ).
The Eastern Region, comprising the island of Sulawesi, the Maluku Islands ( Moluccas ), Papua and Nusa Tenggara.

The duties of the DPD-RI leadership include serving as spokepersons for the DPD-RI, implementing and publicizing decisions of the DPD-RI, and holding consultations with the President of the Republic of Indonesia and with other institutions.


The DPD RI leadership for 2004 – 2009, effected on 1 October 2004



Prof.Dr.Ir.H.Ginandjar Kartasasmita
Chairperson of the DPD-RI.


Senator Ginandjar welcomed President SBY at the Plenary Meeting of DPD-RI, 22 August 2008




A senior figure on Indonesia’s political stage, he has held numerous important government positions. He served as Minister of Mining and Energy ( 1988 – 1993 ), and as Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry, a position which he held concurrently with that of Chairman of the National Development Planning Agency ( Bappenas ) from March – May 1998. From 1999 to 2004, he served as Vice Chairperson of the People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia from the Golkar fraction. In the direct selection for the DPD-RI, he took first place in the Province of West Java.



La Ode Ida, Phd
Vice Chairperson of the DPD-RI.






With a strong tract record as an NGO activist, he has extensive experience in working with stakeholders at the grassroots, which is a significant element to strengthen the role of DPD-RI. He has also regularly analyzed political developments in articles written for various media. He served as consultant in the World Bank’s National Management Team ( 2001 – 2002 ) and most recently as a member of the Constitutional Committee established by the MPR-RI to comprehensively examine the amendments to the 1945 Constitution. He took first place in the 2004 elections in the Province of Southeast Sulawesi.



H. Irman Gusman, SE, MBA.
Vice Chairperson of the DPD-RI.


Irman Gusman ( right ) at IRIF ( Indonesian Regional Investment Forum ) 2008





A prominent representatives of the business community within the DPD-RI, he’s one of the several young entrepreneurs holding seats in the DPD-RI. A graduate of a US university, he has vast experience in the private sector. His main political experience has been as Deputy Chairperson of the Regional Delegates Faction ( Fraksi Utusan Daerah / F-UD ) in the People’s Consultative Assembly ( MPR-RI ) from 1999 to 2004. In the direct election for the dPD-RI, he took first place in West Sumatra.

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AN OVERSIGHT AS ONE OF DPD RI’S FUNCTIONS AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE SOCIETY AT LARGE

Working Visit of Senator Hamdhani to Various Regions - 2008