Regarding the DPR's Inquiry Right Proposal, Puan Maharani: There has been no movement yet

The right of inquiry is one of the rights held by members of Parliament to investigate the implementation of strategic policies or laws that have a broad impact on society. Referring to Article 199 of Law Number 17 of 2014 concerning the MPR, DPR, DPD, and DPRD, the right of inquiry is proposed by at least 25 members of Parliament from a minimum of two factions. The proposal for the right of inquiry must be accompanied by a document containing the subject matter of the policy or implementation of the law that will be investigated as well as the reasons for the investigation.

There has been no movement. The inquiry right, well, that belongs to the members. If it can be useful, of course it is possible, but let's see first how it plays out in the field.

According to Puan, the plan to use a parliamentary inquiry should also consider the political dynamics, and not just short-term political interests. In addition, strong political support is needed for it to be useful for society.

"If there is indeed a proposal for a special committee (angket), then the leadership will certainly wait and see, until now, there hasn't been one," said Puan.

Also read: Demonstrations demanding the right to inquiry at the DPR/MPR

Puan also confirmed that there was no instruction given to members of the PDI-P Faction regarding the proposal for an inquiry right from PDI-P Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri. Currently, the PDI-P is still waiting for the political constellation going forward.

"The PDI-P, of course, hopes that this must be done. However, there are rules proposed by 25 members. So, we'll see, at least it is indeed the right of DPR members. The best thing to do for the nation, yes, it is allowed, but it hasn't happened yet. So, let's see first in the field," said Puan.

Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives from the Golkar Party faction, Lodewijk F Paulus, also stated that the proposal for a special inquiry has yet to be processed until today. Golkar believes that the House of Representatives does not need to use a special inquiry to investigate issues related to the organization of the 2024 elections. This is because the current election dispute has also been handled by the Constitutional Court (MK).

"Now it is ongoing, which is the case being taken to the Constitutional Court, so let's just follow it. Then there is also a parliamentary inquiry right, wouldn't the community be confused because there is a parliamentary inquiry again," said the Secretary General of Golkar Party.

Hope PDI-P takes the initiative

A member of the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction in the parliament, Luluk Nur Hamidah, hopes that members of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction can immediately initiate a proposal for a parliamentary inquiry. Because PDI-P is the winning party of the election that has great strength in the parliament.

"The idea of ​​the right to inquiry first emerged from PDI-P, namely from the PDI-P presidential candidate. So, what we hope is that PDI-P can be the leading member of this right of inquiry. PDI-P has great power in parliament. "So, if we combine, we will be the majority," said Luluk.

Luluk believes that the proposal for the rights of inquiry could be pushed forward in the DPR because the use of inquiry rights is important for delving into various allegations of fraud. According to Luluk, supporting the rights of inquiry basically supports the struggle to ensure that the electoral process is carried out fairly and honestly.

"We are not in a position to cancel the election results, but we want to expose the government's fraud, the resources used, and their impacts. This is the most important thing. This way, we can provide the best recommendations for improvements to the political system, and even democracy in the future. We must not let this happen again," he explained.

During the Plenary Session of the House of Representatives on Thursday morning (28/3/2024), there was no interruption from DPR members to discuss their right to investigate. This is different from the Plenary Session with the opening agenda of the IV session of the 2023-2024 hearing period on Tuesday (5/3/2024).

Also read: DPR Members Meet Demonstrators, Police Force to Disband Mass Action

At that time, members of parliament from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), and the Nation Awakening Party (PKB) raised the discourse of using their investigatory rights to investigate allegations of fraud during the 2024 election at a plenary session of parliament. One of them, Luluk Nur Hamidah, also conveyed the idea of using investigatory rights in parliament.