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.

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

An Overview of DPD_RI

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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.