Semarang (5/24/2018) As an attempt to meet the public’s sense of justice on regional level as well as improve the each region’s spirit and participation capacity in the national life, the People’s Consultative Assembly has formed a new representative institution named Regional Representative Council (DPD). Like People’s Representative Council (DPR), it represent the people in particular regions. It has also become a new alternative of “regional delegates” in the People’s Consultative Assembly, which more represents regional interests. The role of the Regional Representative Council in representing the regional interests needs to be improved.
Hence, synergizing with the Regional Representative Council of the People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD MPR RI) Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang held a National Seminar on “Building Regional Representatives” on May 23, 2018. The keynote speakers of the seminar were Dr. Bambang Sadono, S.H., M.H. (Chairman of the Assessment Agency of MPR RI), Prof. Dr. Sapriya, M.Ed. (Secretary General of Pancasila and Civic Education Profession), Dr. Muhammad Junaidi, S.H.I, M.H. (Universitas Semarang) and Prof. Dr. Masrukhi, M.Pd. (Rector of Unimus). Meanwhile becoming the responding speaker was Instiawati Ayus, SH, MH (Group Chairperson of the Regional Representative Council). The seminar was attended by 150 people consisting of students, college students, educators, and general public.
Prof. Dr. Masrukhi, M.Pd., the Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang (Unimus) stated that the Regional Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia had a strategic and important role for Indonesian people. “It is not less important than the People Representative Council but today the role hasn’t been optimized for this nation. DPD directly touches the people’s interests without expensive political costs if compared to the People Representative Council. With a vast geographic condition, the national funding for Indonesia is very high, for example, to hold a meeting of regional leaders throughout Indonesia, we can imagine how big the cost will be,” Prof. Masrukhi revealed during his presentation. The role of DPD is very important. According to my research between 2004 and 2009, the productivity of DPD is has been higher than that of DPR. It is very important to accomodate the interest and need of aspiration that is developing on regional level” added the Professor in Civic Education.
Reported by the Technical Unit of Public Relations and Protocol.
