Dwi Atmanta, Jakarta – Lawmakers from the House of Representatives resumed their sitting on Thursday, with their wish for a prosperous New Year fulfilled.

The 550 legislators are now paid double their salaries of last year, which were about Rp 24 million (US$2,500) per month, while most workers and public servants have seen their salaries rise only by an average 15 percent.

More speedy deliberation of bills can be expected, thanks to changes in the political constellation within the House as a result of the Cabinet reshuffle last month. Except the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which recently reconfirmed its opposition stance, all the major factions at the House are serving the interests of political parties that are represented in the Cabinet of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Lawmakers now feel more secure, after the completion of a Rp 2 billion fence in front of the House building. No protesters or people who wish to articulate their aspirations will be able to force their way into the House compound, thanks to this towering concrete and metal fence. Even the fence around the Presidential Palace is much more people-friendly.

That was why House Speaker Agung Laksono was brimming with confidence when he said on Thursday the House would allocate 60 percent of its working hours to deliberating 28 bills until March 24, when they go into recess. If the target is met, the House will set a new post-New Order record for the number of draft laws endorsed.

With only 40 effective work days, the House will approve at least one bill every day from now to March 24. Like civil servants in the capital, lawmakers work five days a week.

The target seems a little optimistic, if not unreasonable, as a bill requires intensive deliberation, to ensure the interests of the 220 million Indonesians are looked after. It seems unlikely this can be done in just two or three days.

Opening its first sitting of 2006, the House has much to do about restoring its waning public trust.

The public is not interested in hearing lawmakers talk about what they plan to do, but wants to see some action that signals the lawmakers are at least trying to live up to their mandate as the people's representatives.

It is worth noting that the House enters the new year on the heels of the 2005 Global Barometer Report, which found that political parties in 44 countries, including Indonesia, are viewed as the corrupt institutions.

The report was based on public perception, but to some extent it was credible, at least here in Indonesia, where dozens of politicians, holding legislative seats ranging from the House to the regency legislatures, have been prosecuted or sent to prison for their involvement in graft, mostly concerning the misuse of budget allocations entrusted to the legislative bodies.

Earlier, the House disciplinary council recommended a recall of two lawmakers for brokering the disbursement of relief funds for regional governments. No action has been taken so far by the political parties in response to the recommendation.

The reputation of lawmakers has been at stake following the constitutional amendments that granted them more powers, which originally were intended to make the system of checks and balances work. During the New Order era, which came to an end in 1998, the House was known for its rubber-stamping work.

The last elections in 2004, called the most democratic polls ever held in the country, failed to select true people's representatives. The fact is only two out of 550 legislative candidates won the minimum votes required to secure a House seat, while the majority were able to join the elite group only because they were the top candidates of their respective parties.

The current power of political parties is reflected in their authority to select legislative candidates and nominees for executive posts, ranging from the president to regents.

But it is the struggle for power that has kept politicians from their constituents. The tall fence literally separates the lawmakers from the people they are supposed to represent.

In contrast to the House, President Susilo is winning more and more credit and public trust for his government's ceaseless fight against corruption, which now has reached the judge corps, which used to be seen as untouchable.

The House's fading reputation could be a blessing in disguise for Susilo, as he wishes for a stable administration in the coming year.