House Speaker Dr. (H.C.) Puan Maharani Addressing a Session at the House. Photo : Geraldi/Man

House Speaker Puan Maharani asserted that the House will always carry out and champion people’s mandate, saying it will continue to improve its performance to fulfill the parliamentary functions of legislation, budgeting, and oversight. She also ensured that, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the House will perform its functions both physically and virtually.

“We are constantly working to improve our performance, and fulfilling our duties and functions,” said the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician in a ceremony to commemorate the House’s 75th anniversary in Jakarta on Saturday (29/8/2020). “We will always be there to fulfill people’s aspirations. Long live the House that has been representatives of the Indonesian people for the last 75 years.”

Maharani added that the House has a long history of accommodating the people's aspirations to take Indonesia forward. The 2019-2024 term is the first time the Indonesian Parliament is chaired by a woman. This leadership is complemented by the increasing number of House women members, which totals to 117 members. "Indonesian women are now able to hold key offices in politics and other sectors," Maharani asserted.

The anniversary of the Indonesian House falls on August 29, which was originally the date of establishment of the Central Indonesian National Committee (KNIP), at the Playhouse Building, Pasar Baru, Jakarta. KNIP, dubbed the forerunner of the House, was founded by the First President of the Republic, Ir. Soekarno, twelve days after proclaiming the Independence of Indonesia. President Soekarno was also the one who initiated the establishment of the House building. The building has witnessed numerous events that shaped the history of the country. Come September 1, 2020, it will be the venue where the plenary session will deliver its annual report. (pun/sf)