Between Popularity and Capacity: Assessing the Quality of Parliament members (DPR) from a Constitutional Law Perspective
By: Usman Arifin M, SH, MH
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Introduction
Every five years, the people of Indonesia are confronted with an important political moment: electing members of the House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat -- DPR). This legislative body holds a central role in lawmaking, government oversight, and channeling the aspirations of the people. These responsibilities require deep analysis and comprehensive references in every decision related to the public interest.
However, surveys reveal that a significant proportion of current legislators lack an educational background relevant to their duties. Many hold only high school diplomas, and some did not even complete secondary education. This is a matter of serious concern, as their election often rests primarily on popularity rather than competence. Thus, a recurring question arises: do elected members of parliament truly reflect the nation's needs, or are they merely products of temporary popularity?
Popularity vs. Capacity, In electoral practice, a candidate's popularity often becomes the decisive factor. Public figures such as celebrities, influencers, or well-known personalities with a strong mass following generally secure parliamentary seats more easily than academics, legal practitioners, or civil society activists who may be far more versed in the substance of legislative work.
This creates a paradox. On the one hand, democracy provides space for anyone to be elected. On the other hand, the DPR, as a lawmaking body, requires intellectual capacity, integrity, and adequate constitutional understanding. In my view, a legislator's function is highly central and demands an individual with a background of deep analysis and critical references. Such qualities allow for substantive and constructive discussions, which society urgently needs. These qualities are typically absent among those lacking higher education, as they are less accustomed to engaging with academic discourse, journals, and analytical writings. Unfortunately, many legislators occupy parliamentary seats solely by virtue of popularity.
Constitutional Law Perspective, Constitutionally, the 1945 Constitution sets only minimal requirements for legislative candidates: Indonesian citizenship, a certain minimum age, and the absence of disqualification from political rights. These formal criteria are highly inclusive but do not address substantive qualities such as expertise in law, economics, or public policy.
From a constitutional law perspective, this gives rise to a normative dilemma:
- Right to be Elected -- Democratic principles guarantee that every citizen has the right to run for office.
- Institutional Capacity -- As a lawmaking body, the DPR requires members who understand regulatory substance.
This tension fuels persistent public criticism regarding the quality of parliament. In the 2024 elections, for instance, 24 celebrities were elected to the DPR for the 2024--2029 term. New names such as Once Mekel, Ahmad Dhani, Melly Goeslaw, Uya Kuya, and Desy Ratnasari joined the legislature. Their electoral success was closely tied to media exposure and popularity rather than academic credentials or legislative experience. While popularity is not inherently negative, the question remains: are they truly prepared to legislate, oversee the executive, and substantively represent their constituents?
