Profiles of Speaker and Deputy Speakers of People’s Consultative Assembly of RI for 2019-2024

 Bambang Soesatyo
“Let MPR be the House of the People”

Speaker of People’s Consultative As­sembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat – “MPR”) Bambang Soesatyo (“Bamsoet”) from the Functional Group (Golongan Karya – “Golkar”) Party was elected unanimously in a Plenary Meeting attended by 647 people’s representatives on Thursday (03/09/2019). Before becoming Speaker of MPR, he was the Speaker of the House (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat – “DPR”), re­placing Setya Novanto, who resigned the position due to legal issues.

Bamsoet started his career as a journalist. He grad­ually advanced until he became the Editor in Chief of Info Bisnis magazine and Suara Karya daily newspa­per, as well as Commissioner of Radio ONE 101.25 FM Jakarta. He once served as a lecturer in the Indonesian College of Financial Economics and Banking (Sekolah Tinggi Ekonomi dan Keuangan Perbankan Indonesia – “Stekpi”). He was also the Director of PT Kodeco Tim­ber and PT SIMA, the President Commissioner of PT Mapindo Mulathama, PT Infobec Pena Utama, and PT Dasa Kharisma Promosindo, as well as President Di­rector of PT Gapura Utama Ekacipta, PT Kepindo Info Link, PT Info Jaya Abadi, and PT Info Persada Laksana Citra (IPLC). He was also the CEO of HMI magazine’s Jakarta branch, Vice Secretary of the Coordinating Commissariat of the Islamic College Student Associa­tion (Himpunan Mahasiswa Islam – “HMI”) of Jayabaya University, Vice General Secretary of PB HMI, member of the Student Press Association, and General Chair­man of Mapussy Indonesia Student Organization.

Bamsoet entered Golkar Party in 2008 and was en­trusted with the position of Vice General Treasurer of its Central Leadership Council (Dewan Pimpinan Pusat – “DPP”). In the 2009 Elections, he was voted into the Parliament and was a member of both Committee III and the Budgetary Body (Badan Anggaran – “Banggar”) of the House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat – “DPR”). He was active in the Special Task Force for the Century Bank Investigation, and he even wrote the book Skandal Century di Tikungan Terakhir Pemerintahan SBY-Boediono (“The Century Scandal at the Tail End of SBY-Boediono’s Rule”) based on his ex­perience. In the 2014-2019 term, Bamsoet became the Head of Committee III until the time he replaced Setya Novanto as the Speaker of DPR RI when the latter was arrested for e-ID card corruption by the Corruption Eradication Commission (Komisi Pemberantasan Ko­rupsi – “KPK”).

Earlier this year, Bamsoet competed with then-in­cumbent General Chairman of Golkar Airlangga Har­tarto for the General Chairmanship. The elections will be held during the Golkar National Assembly to be held in December 2019. However, this competition ended when Golkar decided to submit Bamsoet as their ap­pointed Speaker of MPR RI.

Bamsoet is known as a wealthy politician. Accord­ing to Reports on Assets of State Officials (Laporan Har­ta Kekayaan Penyelenggara Negara – “LHKPN”) data released on the e-LHKPN page, he has a total asset of IDR 98.01 billion. The data is based on the LHK­PN Bamsoet submitted in March 2019 for the 2018 reporting period. His assets are dominated by land and buildings in Jakarta and other cities, for a total of IDR 71.2 billion. He also has many luxury vehicles assessed at IDR 18.5 billion: a Harley Davidson mo­torcycle, a Toyota Vellfire, a Land Rover, a Ferrari, a Tesla, a Hummer H2 Jeep, a Mercedes Benz, a Rolls- Royce Phantom, and a Lamborghini. Bamsoet’s assets in 2018 rose about IDR 30 billion from the amount in 2016.

In his acceptance speech as the Speaker of MPR, Bambang request that everyone should turn the MPR into a “House of the People.” He believes that MPR should be the forum for discussing strategic national and community issues.

 Ahmad Basarah
“Actively socializing the Four Pillars of MPR”

Chairman of Indonesian Democratic Par­ty of Struggle (Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan – “PDIP”)’s DPP Ahmad Basarah was appointed Dep­uty Speaker of the MPR for the 2019-2024 term after holding the same position in the previous term. He was appointed in an MPR Plenary Session held at the Parliamentary Complex of RI, Jakarta, on Thursday (03/10/2019) night. PDIP re-submitted him as a leader of MPR because he has state administration skills and experience, and has a deep understanding of the four pillars of MPR. Many people believe that he is worthy of this position. For example, former Chairman of DPP PDIP Hendrawan Supratikno believes that Basarah is capable of being a Deputy Speaker of the MPR, as can be seen from the contents of the latter’s acceptance speech when he earned his Doctorate in State Administration Law from Diponegoro University.

Born in Jakarta on 16 June 1968, Basarah spent his formative years in his home town. He went to National Middle School 168 Cakung and National High School 36 Rawamangun, then pursued higher education in the Institute for Social and Political Sciences. After school, he became active in the business world. He once served as the President Commissioner PT Usaha Bangun Ber­sama, as well as a Commissioner of PT Techiteam Indo­nesia. According to the report he submitted on 11 April 2019 as a candidate of DPR RI from PDIP Faction in the East Java V Electoral Region, the total value of his reported assets is IDR 10,070,485,149.00.

Basarah’s political journey started when he entered DPR PDIP Faction in the 2004-2009 term through the East Java V Electoral Region. He became more popu­lar during the 2014 Elections. After the Elections, he was appointed as Acting General Secretary of PDIP to replace Tjahjo Kumolo, who was appointed as Minister of Home Affairs at the time. He was also a key witness who blew the whistle on Corruption Eradication Commis­sion (Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi – “KPK”) Chairman Abraham Samad, who was suspected of having violated KPK’s Code of Ethics for having met with political elites in relation with his possible candidacy as Joko Widodo’s Vice President. In MPR, Basarah actively socialized the four pillars of MPR. He was the Vice Chairman of the 4 Pillars of MPR’s Socialization Work Team for the 2009- 2014 period.

 Ahmad Muzani
“The former journalist who rose up to become the leader of MPR”

Ahmad Muzani is an entrepreneur and a politician from Gerindra Party. Since his youth, he has been active in various organizations, even going as far has having chaired the Indonesian Islamic Student Union (Pelajar Islam Indonesia – “PII”) before taking up Bachelorship in Communications at Ibnu Chal­dun University, Jakarta. On graduation, he became a journalist for Amanah magazine and an announcer at Ramako radio. Thanks to his unswerving dedication, he became the radio’s Regional Director for the Serang, Banten region.

Muzani knows a lot of people and has strong con­nections with many groups. His foray into practical politics started when he helped Zainuddin MZ estab­lish the Star of Reform Party (Partai Bintang Reformasi – “PBR”). He even held the position of Vice General Secretary in the Party. However, nearing the 2009 Elec­tions, he fell in love with Gerindra Party and changed alliances. He rose through the ranks until he became its General Secretary.

He then submitted himself for legislative mem­bership candidacy from Electoral Region Lampung I, which includes Bandar Lampung, West Lampung, South Lampung, Tanggamus, Pesawaran, and Metro. His hard work paid off: his entry to Senayan for the 2009-2014 term was smooth with a vote earning of 24,723 votes and the mandate of becoming the Chair­man of the Gerindra Faction in DPR RI. Muzani then entered Committee I, which is in charge of National Defense, Foreign Issues, Intelligence, and Communi­cation and Informatics. He doubles as the Chairman of the State Finance Accountability Body (Badan Akunt­abilitas Keuangan Negara – “BAKN”) of the DPR-RI, as well as the Vice General Chairman of the Indonesian Cooperative Council (Dewan Koperasi Indonesia – “De­kopin”). He also became a member of the Legislative Body (Badan Legislasi – “Baleg”) of the House.

 Lestari Moerdijat
“The newcomer and only woman in the MPR leadership”

 Lestari Moerdijat is the cadre submitted by the National Democrat (“Nasdem”) Party to fill a seat in the MPR RI leadership in the 2019-2024 period. She is a newcomer in our Parliament, who entered the 2019 Elections for Nasdem from the Central Java II Electoral Region. She even obtained the most votes in the 2019 Legislative Elections at 162,996 votes, even though she competed in a “spooky” Electoral Region well known for its high level of electoral competition. When he found out that Lestari’s seat in Senayan is assured, Nasdem’s Gen­eral Chairman Surya Paloh immediately appointed her as a candidate for MPR leadership from the Party. He be­lieves that Lestari Moerdijat is the right person for the po�­sition, as she has strong skills despite being a newcomer.

Lestari is a female executive. She is the Vice Chairman of Media Grup and President Director of Media Indonesia. She also holds the position of Director and Commissioner in several of Media Grup’s subsidiaries, such as Surya Energi Raya, CS Media Investment, Metro TV, Pangansari Utama, and Emas Mineral Murni. Other than being a skilled businesswoman, she is also active in social caus­es. She is a member of the Sukma Foundation’s Advisory Council. The Foundation manages several schools in Bi­reun, Pidie, and Lhokseumawe, Aceh. Other than in Suk­ma Foundation, she is also a breast cancer survivor who is active in campaigns against breast cancer through the Lestari’s Friends Community. She was diagnosed with positive HER2 breast cancer in 2016.

Lestari Moerdijat is the only female politician in the 2019-2024 MPR RI leadership. Surya Paloh stated that he appointed her for this position from the Nasdem Fac�­tion as proof of the Party’s commitment to provide op­portunity to competent women to contribute to the Party and the people. Lestari’s total assets are valued at IDR 36,473,616,085.00. She reported her assets on 31 March 2019 as a candidate member of DPR RI from Nasdem Faction in the Central Java II Electoral Region.

Jazilul Fawaid
“The religious scholar in the MPR leadership seat”

 He is easily recognized from his distinctive mustache. He has a calm mien and a tall, manly posture. He is a figure of strictness and strong will. He is Jazi­lul Fawaid, S.Q. M.A., a village boy hailing from Daun Timur, Sangkapura, Bawean, Gresik. Even though he was born in Bawean, his father’s status as a civil servant teacher of Islamic religion means that little Jazilul had to follow his father when the latter was appointed a teacher in Sidorukun Kertosono Village, Sidayu, Gresik. This is where he spent most of his childhood, growing in an at­mosphere of strict religion and education.

Young Jazil spent most of his youth in the Ihyaul ‘Ulum pesantren (Islamic religious boarding school), un­der the care of the late KH Ma’sum Sofyan. Within the confines of the pesantren, he learned both salaf knowl­edge, the pure religious knowledge obtained from three generations after the Prophet’s death, and common formal knowledge simultaneously. When he graduated from the Madrasah Aliyah (Islamic High School) Ihyaul ‘Ulum, young Jazil continued his formal education to the Qur’anic Science College (Perguruan Tinggi Ilmu Al-Quran – “PTIQ”) di Jakarta. After obtaining his Bachelor degree as the Sarjana Qur’an (Bachelor in Qur’anic Knowledge), he entered a Master’s program and graduated with the thesis titled Bahasa Politik Al-Quran: Konsep and Aktu­alisasinya dalam Sejarah (“The Political Language of the Qur’an: Concepts and Actualization in History”).

Simultaneously with his educational pursuit, Cak Jazil is a well-known activist for many movements. He has held many strategic positions, starting as the Chairman of the Commissariat of the Indonesia’s Islamic Student Move­ment (Pergerakan Mahasiswa Islam Indonesia – “PMII”) of Kebayoran Lama, Branch Chairman of PMII South Ja­karta, and Department Coordinator of PB PMII. He is also recorded as being active in the Indonesian youth commu­nity organization affiliated with the Nahdlatul Ulama, the Ansor Youth Movement (Gerakan Pemuda Ansor – “GP Ansor”). He is a tireless worker who joined various youth and party organization in full spirits. However, most of his activities are related to education. Cak Jazil is entrusted with the position of Faculty Chairman and lecturer in the Nadhdlatul Ulama Islamic College (Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Nahdlatul Ulama – “STAINU”) Jakarta. In PBNU, he was also mandated as a member of the Central Advisory Council of the Nahdlatul Ulama Agricultural Development Agency for the 2010-2015 term.

Cak Jazil became serious in politics from the time he entered DPR as the Expert Staff of the Deputy Speaker of DPR in Industry, Trade, and Development. With the intent to devote himself to the country and nation, he dedicates his political career through the National Awakening Party (Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa – “PKB”) under the command of Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin. With PKB, Cak Jazil became a legislative member from the East Java X Elec­toral Region, which includes Gresik and Lamongan.

With his field experience and strength of will to strug­gle, Cak Jazil finally realized his purpose. On 2013, he was appointed as a DPR RI member in an Interval Sub­stitution of PKB Faction members. In the 2014 Legis­lative Elections, the voters in the East Java X Electoral Region again entrusted him with DPR RI membership. He was appointed to Commission V, which is in charge of transportation, public works, people’s housing, rural and underdeveloped area development, and meteorology, climatology, and geophysics. Other than being a member of Commission V, he is also the Head of the Budget Body and the Secretary of PKB Faction of DPR RI.

Jazilul Fawaid re-entered himself for candidacy in 2019 from the same Electoral Region as in 2014. He became a member of the DPR for the third time with 186,838 votes earned. He was also elected as a Deputy Speaker of the MPR RI for the 2019-2024 term. He has total assets of IDR 7,863,182,061.00. He submitted the Report of his total wealth in 2018 on 31 March 2019 as a member of DPR RI 2014-2019 from the PKB Faction.

 Syarief Hasan
Experienced in both executive and legislative branches

The Democratic Party has appointed Syarief Hasan as one of the Deputy Speakers for the People’s Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusy­awaratan Rakyat – “MPR”) for the 2019-2024 period. He will serve as the MPR Deputy Speaker for Assess­ment of State Administration. Democratic Party Chair­man Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) chose the Par­ty founder, as he had previously served four periods in the House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat – “DPR”) and was a minister in President Yud­hoyono’s cabinet during the 2009-2014 period.

With Syarief Hasan now sitting on the MPR leader­ship, the Democratic Party now has two of its mem­bers as MPR leaders. Previously, in the 2014-2019 period, the Democratic Party appointed Evert Ernest Mangindaan as MPR Deputy Speaker.

Democratic Party fraction member Benny Kabur Harman is certain that Syarief Hasan will be able to fight for the aspirations and interests of all Indone­sians, and especially fight for the aspirations and in­terests of the Democratic Party in the MPR.

Democratic Party fraction leader in the MPR Gun­tur Sasono stated that one of the strongest reasons for appointing Syarief Hasan as an MPR leader was his experience in the Party and in Parliament. Syarief Hasan’s experience in politics and in the legislative and executive branch was deemed necessary to rep­resent the Democratic Party as an MPR leader. He is also known as a politician that cares about education – a notion supported by the fact that he himself has obtained a doctorate. A high level of education means that Syarief Hasan has been agile and vocal in ex­pressing his aspirations during his four-period stay in Parliament.

Before entering politics, Syarief was an active figure in the business world. The Palopo, South Sulawesi, June 17 1949-born man worked for PT United Trac­tors from 1973 to 1979. He then became the CEO of PT Barita Multi Recon, serving from 1979 to 1985. Later, Syarief served as a commissioner in PT Insan Fajar Cakrawala. The husband of actress Inggrid Kan­sil also founded and managed PT Mesa Cipta Pratama.

Syarief Hasan then tried his luck in politics through the Democratic Party. His political career started in 2004. In the 2004 general elections, he was elected as a DPR member from the Democratic Party faction for the 2004-2009 period. In the next election he was again chosen for the 2009-2014 period but left the position after being appointed by President Yudhoyono as Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises in the Indonesia Bersatu II cabinet. He was then elected again to the DPR for the 2014-2019 period. In the 2019 elections, Syarief Hasan received 35,270 votes from the West Java III voting region. Now, for the 2019-2024 period, he has been appointed by SBY to serve in MPR leadership.

In Parliament, Syarief Hasan has served as a mem­ber of DPR Commission XI, which handled finance, in 2004-2006. He also served as the Democratic Party fraction leader in 2006-2009 and then became the Deputy Chairman of the Budget Committee from 2006-2007. He also served as a member of the DPR Commission I from 2007-2009 and was a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Body (Badan Kerja Sama Antar Parlemen – “BKSAP”).

During his time as minister his relationship with SBY became closer. He was then entrusted to serve as the Chairman of daily affairs for the Democratic Party. As the Chairman, Syarief Hasan become SBY’s right-hand man. He then went on to become a member of the Party’s board of supervisors and in the Democratic Party Congress 2015, SBY promoted him to deputy Chairman of the Democratic Party for the 2015-2020 period.

As a Minister, Syarief travelled very often across Indonesia to greet the people. With a background as a businessman, he shared much of his experience with the people he met. Concerning his loyalty, Syarief Hasan and the Democratic Party cannot be separated, especially when concerning the Party’s Chairman SBY. He almost never has a differing view with SBY when in public, especially in delivering statements related to the Party’s stances with the media.

Although the Democratic Party has experienced good times and others in politics, until now he has been loyal to the Party responsible for giving him his current political clout. After leaving his ministerial position and with SBY no longer President, the Uni­versitas Persada Indonesia YAI management doctorate alumnus continues to show his skills in the political world by repeatedly being elected to Parliament as a representative of the people.

Hidayat Nur Wahid
Subject to Party Decree

Hidayat Nur Wahid has once again been entrusted by the Prosperous Justice Party (Partai Keadilan Sejahtera – “PKS”) as part of the MPR lead­ership. Now, he will serve as MPR Deputy Speaker for Evaluation of the Implementation of Provisions for the 2019-2024 period. The one of many stalwarts of the Justice Party (beginnings of PKS) from July 1998 is believed by the PKS fraction to be the right figure to serve as an MPR Deputy Speaker for the 2019-2024 period, as previously he had experience leading the highest body in the Parliament as MPR Deputy Speaker for the 2014-2019 period.

In his first period as a DPR member in 2004, he was immediately chosen as MPR Chairman, serving until 2009. He was also chosen as the Inter-Parlia­mentary Cooperation Board of the House of Repre­sentatives from 2009-2012 and served as the PKS fraction leader in the DPR from 2009-2014.

Previously, his name had indeed strengthened the team. PKS fraction leader Jazuli Juwain stated that the Syuro Assembly deputy Chairman was one of the candidates to serve as part of the MPR leadership. “Perhaps, one of the candidates could be Mr. Hidayat Nur Wahid,” he said in the DPR building, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday (1/10).

At the time, Hidayat stated that his appointment would be executed through a certain mechanism in the PKS fraction in the MPR. “Later, there will be an official PKS fraction mechanism in the MPR which will announce it. Just wait for the announcement. However, in principle I am ready to do whatever the Party decides, whether I will be a regular member, or MPR Deputy Speaker, or even MPR speaker. What­ever the decision from my fraction is I will do it,” said the man born in Kebon Dalem Kidul, Prambanan, Klaten on April 8, 1960.

Beforehand, there were a number of candidates from PKS who sat on the MPR leadership. Among others were PKS President Sohibul Iman, PKS Sec­retary-General Mustafa Kamal, Tiffatul Sembiring, Mardani Ali Sera, and Muzammil Yusuf. Finally, the senior politician known by his initials HNW was de­termined to return to the MPR leadership.

His started to become better known when he was chosen as the Justice Party’s President on May 21, 2000, replacing Nurmahmudi Ismail who was ap­pointed Minister of Forestry and Plantations during the presidency of Abdurrahman Wahid.

After, in 2004, his political career continued to brighten. In that year, he was elected to the DPR and became the MPR Speaker for the 2004-2009 period. In the 2009-2014 period, he again returned to Par­liament, however no longer serving as MPR speaker. He was elected to the DPR for the 2009-2014 period after receiving 106,521 votes in his Central Java V voting region. He was also momentarily in the Jakar­ta governor race in 2012. In the 104-2019 period, he was re-elected to the DPR in voting region Jakarta II and received 119,267 votes. During that period, he was a member of Committee VI in DPR. However, in April 2016, he was switched to become a member of Committee I. On October 8, 2014, Hidayat Nur Wa­hid was officially made MPR Deputy Speaker for the 2014-2019 period.

Zulkifli Hasan
Two terms as MPR leadership

Zulkifli Hasan was the MPR speaker for the 2014-2019 period. In the current period, he has been re-nominated for MPR speaker but lost to Bam­soet. He represents the PAN fraction serving as MPR Deputy Speaker for trials in the 2019-2024 period.

National Mandate Party (Partai Amanat Nasion­al – “PAN”) secretary general Eddy Soeparno stated that PAN supported Zulkifly for MPR Deputy Speaker. The background and political experience of Zulkifli, better known as Zulhas, was deemed adequate. The appointment of Zulhas was not thought to disturb the regeneration of PAN members. Eddy is certain that the members could learn through another path. “Each (of the members) will all later be given appro­priately; slowly there will be committee heads, there will be assembly committees. So, I think to add to experience, to show ability, its possible anywhere,” he explained.

Zulhas chose PAN as his political vehicle since the beginning. He had become a DPR member for the 2004-2009 period through the Lampung voting re­gion. Since then, his political career has continued to blossom. From 2000-2005, he was entrusted to serve as PAN’s Executive Board Logistic Department head. He was also appointed as the PAN fraction head in the DPR for the 2004-2009 period.

In PAN, he served as secretary-general from 2005- 2010. He then replaced Hatta Rajasa as the number one person in PAN in 2015.

The man born May 17, 1962 in South Lampung, also had a career in the executive branch. From 2009-2014, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono appointed him Minister of Forestry in the Indonesia Bersatu II cabinet.

After running again in the 2014 election, he again was chosen to be part of the legislative branch and was appointed MOR speaker for the 2014-2019 peri­od. IN 2015, he was chosen as PAN Chairman for the 2015-2020 period after defeating incumbent Hatta Rajasa through closed voting in the PAN IV Congress in Nusa Dua, Bali. He received 292 votes from a total of 584 voters. Hatta only received 286 votes, while four votes were deemed invalid and two were unused.

The Mahaputra Adipradana service star recipi­ent from the President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, again ran in the 2019 legislative elections. Repre­senting Lampung I voting region, which covers West Lampung, South Lampung, Pesawaran, West Pesisir, Pringsewu, Tanggamus, Bandar Lampung City, and Metro City, he won with 132,039 votes. PAN then supported him for MPR leadership for the 2019-2024 period.

Arsul Sani
Statesmanlike, standing above all groups

Arsul Sani, representing the United Development Party (Partai Persatuan Pembangunan – “PPP”), will serve as MPR Deputy Speaker for per­formance accountability for the 2019-2024 period. He explained his appointment was decided in a PPP Executive Board meeting on Tuesday (1/10). “The PPP Executive Board decided last night that the MPR leadership quota for PPP will fall to me,” he said in Nusantara Building, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday (2/9).

PPP deputy secretary-general Ahmad Baidowi stated that the PPP secretary-general was appointed to the MPR leadership as he had good communica­tion skills and had a statesmanship attitude. “He is the secretary-general and has the ability to commu­nicate well. Figures in the MPR leadership must be statesmanlike and standing above all parties,” he said.

Previously, there were a number of candidates for the MPR from PPP with, among others, Arwani Thomafi, Amir Uskara and Asrul Sani. Asrul stated that all decision would be made by PPP acting Chair­man Suharso Monoarfa. “Who is chosen depends on the acting Chairman,” he explained.

According to the laws on the MPR, DPR, DPD, DPRD (UU MD3), every political party to make it to Parliament can send one person to serve as part of the MPR leadership. The MPR leadership for the 2019-2024 period consists of 10 people, nine from those representing their party and one representing the Regional Representative Council (Dewan Per­wakilan Daerah – “DPD”).

Asrul Sani is a son of the former two-period PPP Pekalongan Branch Leadership Council Chairman Abdullah Fadjari. Not only active in legal aid, he also followed the footsteps of his father in PPP.

Graduating from University of Indonesia’s Faculty of Law, Arsul was once the editor of the University of Indonesia Law & Development Journal. After univer­sity, Arsul started his career as a staff of Gani Djemat and Partners. He also became a public lawyer in LBH Jakarta and defended Islamic activists involved in the Tanjung Priok tragedy in the 1980s.

In 2019, Asrul who came from the PPP family, was asked to join PKS to run as a legislative nominee in the 2009 elections. The decision was opposed by his family and senior lawyer Adnan Buyung Nasution. At the time, Asrul failed to get into Parliament. However, in 2014, he was finally elected. In the 2014-2019 period, he served in Committee III on law, human rights, and security. In 2017, he became a member of the DPR special committee for inquiry to investi­gate the Corruption Eradication Commission (Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi – “KPK”). He also once joined the criminal code draft working committee. He again won his nomination in the 2019 elections in the Central Java X (Batang, Pekalongan, and Pemalang) voting region. He is a council member who actively expresses his opinions on a variety of issues, such as the KPK inquiry special committee.

Fadel Muhammad
Wants the DPD to have a bigger role

Fadel Muhammad has been appointed by the DPD to be part of the MPR leadership for the 2019-2024 period. This was decided in a DPD ple­nary meeting in Parliament Complex, Senayan, Ja­karta, Wednesday (2/10/2019). The resolution was reached through voting. In competing for the MPR leadership seat, Fadel went up against the three oth­er senators: Yorrys Raweyai, Dedi Iskandar and GKR Hemas. Fadel received the most votes, totaling 59, Yorrys received 16 votes, Deddi received 5 votes, and GKR Hemas received 46 votes. 126 votes were cast from a total of 136 members.

While delivering his vision and mission, he talk­ed about the 1945 Constitution amendment to strengthen the DPD. Through thisamendment, the DPD would be able to better carry out their function as a representative of regions fighting for their as­pirations. “I am aware that passing an amendment to the 1945 Constitution is not easy, but I want the DPD to become more functional, receive a larger role. I want to fight tooth and nail so the regional transfer funds totaling IDR 700 trillion must be at the hands of the DPD. If we go to the regions, we can bring something,” he asserted.

Before going into politics, the Ternate, May 20, 1952 born man was first into business. After suc­cess in the business world, he changed course and became Governor of Gorontalo Province for two pe­riods, from 2001-2006 and 2006-2009. Even in the 2006 Gorontalo Province District head elections he received 81% of the votes, a record for a gubernato­rial election in Indonesia. He did not finish his period as Governor as he was chosen by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to serve as Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries from 2009-2011 in the Indone­sia Bersatu II cabinet. He was only a minister for two years and was replaced by Cicip Sutardjo, who was also from Golkar.

Starting his political career as a Party of Func­tional Groups (Partai Golongan Karya – “Golkar”) member, he was quite active in his party’s activities with among others serving as the Golkar Executive Board Head of the Cooperative and Entrepreneur de­partment from 1993-1994, Golkar Executive Board treasurer from 1989-2004, Golkar Gorontalo DPD 1 Chairman from 2005-2010, and Golkar Executive Board daily affairs head from 2009-2015. He was also the Golkar Executive Board deputy Chairman from 2009-2011 and the Golkar deputy Chairman for the 2011-2015 period.

In the 2014 general elections, he ran for DPR in the Gorontalo voting region and won. He then changed paths to become a senator in the 2019 elec­tions. He ran for the DPD, although still from Goron­talo. He was then entrusted to represent the DPD in the DPR for the 2019-2024 period. He is now an MPR Deputy Speaker under the leadership of speaker Bambang Soesatyo from the Golkar Party.