The Indonesian House of Representatives has the power to make laws. Every bill is deliberated by the House, together with the President, for a joint approval. The bills may come from the House, the President, or the Regional Representative Council (DPD).

DPD may propose to the House bills related to local autonomy, central - local government relations, regional proliferation (creation, extension, and merging), management of natural and other economic resources, as well financial balance between central and local governments. In the event that two similar bills are proposed for the same sitting period, what is going to be deliberated is the one proposed by the House, while the one proposed by the President is used as a source of comparison.

Bills that have been approved by both the House and the President shall be submitted not later than seven working days by Leaders of the House to the President to be enacted. If the said bills are not passed after 15 (fifteen) working days, Leaders of the House may send a letter to the President asking for an explanation. When the bills are not signed at the latest 30 (thirty) days after they are approved and submitted to the President, they automatically become laws.

Deliberation of Bills Proposed by the Government at the Indonesian House

A bill, supported by the explanatory description and/or academic texts, that is proposed by the President shall be submitted in writing to Leaders of the Indonesian House by a letter of recommendation from the President, where the name of the appointed minister representing the President is mentioned to discuss the bill with Members of the House.

At the following Plenary Session, once the bill is received by the House, Leaders of the Indonesian House will subsequently inform and distribute the bill to all Members of the House. Bills related to the Regional Representative Council (DPD) are distributed to DPD.

The dissemination of bills is conducted by the initiating institution. Bills are discussed through two phases of deliberations at the House, in collaboration with line ministers who represent the President.

Deliberation of Bills Proposed by Regional Representative Council (DPD) at the Indonesian House

A draft bill, supported by the explanatory description and/or academic texts, that is proposed by DPD, shall be submitted in written by Leaders of DPD to Leaders of the Indonesian House. At the following Plenary Session, once the bill is received by the House, Leaders of the Indonesian House will inform and distribute the draft bill to all Members of the House. Subsequently, Leaders of the House will send a notification letter to DPD to inform the date of bill announcement at the plenary session.

Steering Committee of the House will then appoint a commission or the Legislation Committee to discuss the bill and schedule a deliberation date. Within 30 working days, the appointed commission or the Legislation Committee will invite members of DPD’s complementary organs (maximum 1/3 of the total members of the House’s complementary organs) to deliberate the bill. Results of the deliberation are read out in a plenary session.

Once the bill is approved, Leaders of the House will submit it to the President along with a formal letter requesting that the President appoints a minister to represent him in the deliberation process with Leaders of both the Indonesian House and DPD.

Within the period of 60 days since the President received the bill and letter from the House, he will appoint a minister to represent him in the deliberation process with Leaders of both the Indonesian House and DPD.