Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Puan Maharani stressed that good governance must deliver justice by transforming political democracy into economic democracy and social justice.
Puan made the remarks while delivering her speech at the 153rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly at the Arusha International Conference Centre in Arusha, Tanzania, on Thursday.
According to an official statement received in Jakarta, she said democracy must give people the ability to help shape policy directions, secure a fair share of progress, and improve their quality of life.
She noted that efficient, orderly, transparent, and effective government remains essential, adding that good governance is inseparable from justice.
“The measure of a nation’s success lies not only in growth, procedures, or institutional sophistication, but also in enhancing the people’s capacity to shape their own future,” she remarked.
Puan assessed that just governance must expand public participation and control, strengthen power accountability, prevent the concentration of wealth and influence among a select few, protect national sovereignty, and ensure that wealth and natural resources are used to improve public welfare.
She said history has shown that economic power can transform into political power, which in turn is used to perpetuate social and economic inequality.
“As a result, political democracy will never be truly substantive if economic power is concentrated to the extent that the voice of a small minority becomes far more decisive than that of the general public,” she added.
In this context, Puan underscored that parliament holds a strategic position as a bridge between the sovereignty of the people and state power, tasked with translating the people’s voice into laws, budgets, oversight mechanisms, and public policies.
“Democratic legitimacy does not end when an election is over. It must be continuously renewed through state decisions that are just, transparent, and accountable, and deliver tangible results for the people,” she said.
The 153rd IPU Assembly, held from October 5 to 9, carries the theme “Enhancing Good Governance and Empowering People through Inclusivity, Trust, and Opportunity for All.”
In addition to attending the assembly, Puan is scheduled to participate in the election of the 32nd IPU president on Friday.
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Translator: Fath Putra, Raka Adji
Editor: Primayanti
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