REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Constitutional law expert from the University of Parahyangan, Asep Warlan Yusuf said the House of Representatives (DPR) should prove their commitment in the constituency first, before discussing the aspiration funds. Aspiration funds could be realized if there was a clear object and programs in their respective constituencies.
"If they keep going to propose aspiration fund, Parliament should re-look at what they've done for each constituency. Have them prove their commitment as ever delivered before they elected became parliament members?" he said when contacted by ROL, on Monday, June 22.
According to him, the discussions of aspiration funds were not the authority of Parliament. The allocation of 20 million IDR to each of the members also considered too risky.
"It could be that the funds diverted for personal interest or only for internal groups. For example, it distributed to the foundation owned by members of the House of Representatives but not targeted to the general public in the constituency," he explained.
Therefore, the evidence of commitment in each constituency is absolutely necessary. The members of DPR, said Asep, are an individual who best understand the conditions and needs of their respective constituencies.
"For example, a board member from Papua must understand that they need to strengthen the infrastructure, education and health. So the promise to improve all three must be proved first, made the program up to village level if necessary. Only then discussed, the aspiration funds will be used to strengthen which program, "he said.
As is known, the House of Representatives will formulate the new rights of the budget use of 20 billion IDR to 560 parliament members per year. The budget which plan to be included in the state budget 2016 aimed at fulfilling the development aspirations of the public demand in their respective constituencies.