Special Open Forum Panel Discussion: The Indonesia – U.S. Caucus of Indonesia's Legislature: How it Views its Roles in Indonesia's Democracy and Foreign Policy
Indonesia’s democratic consolidation has led to the transformation of its national legislature (DPR RI) into a more functional and powerful legislative branch of the government. The DPR RI has recently re-launched its Indonesia-United States Caucus (DPR RI Indonesia – U.S. Caucus) and is seeking to play an important role as part of the increasingly developed patterns of Indonesia’s bilateral relations with the United States, including the Indonesia – U.S. Comprehensive Partnership and strengthening Indonesia’s inter-parliamentary relations.
A multi-partisan group, the DPR RI Indonesia – U.S. Caucus encompasses a wide range of cooperation areas, including legislative governance, trade and investment, tourism, education, culture, security, energy, and mining.
On April 27, USINDO welcomed three distinguished members of the DPR RI Indonesia – U.S. Caucus, Hon. Priyo Budi Santoso, Hon. Bobby Adhityo Rizaldi, and Hon. Eva Kusuma Sundari, to speak at a Special Open Forum Panel Discussion to discuss their views of democracy in Indonesia, the changing role of Indonesia’s parliament in the democratic era as well as the opportunities they see for the role of the DPR RI Indonesia – U.S. Caucus. Hon. Santoso is currently the Deputy Speaker of DPR RI and Chairman of DPR RI Indonesia – U.S. Caucus. Hon. Rizaldi is the Deputy Chairman of DPR RI Indonesia – U.S. Caucus, as well as a member of DPR RI Commission on Energy and Environment and DPR RI Papua Desk. Hon. Sundari is a member of DPR RI Commission on Law, Human Rights, and Security; DPR RI State Budget Accountability Body; and, DPR RI Indonesia – U.S. Caucus.