The Legislatures of Indonesia

Abstract

In Indonesia, the national legislative power of the state is exercised primarily through the DPR (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat, People's Representative Assembly). However, Indonesia has two additional national-level institutions that have roles in national lawmaking, albeit very limited ones. These are the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR or Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat) and the Regional Representative Assembly (DPD or Dewan Perwakilan Daerah). This chapter discusses the powers and functions of these three legislative bodies and explains their evolution from the authoritarian reign of President Soeharto (1967–1998) to the modern democratic era.