Rights activists criticized the House, saying they should not take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to rush deliberations and dismiss public participation.

The House of Representatives will begin its deliberation of the controversial omnibus bill on job creation despite the coronavirus pandemic.

The legislature has cited the government's early release policy, issued as part of the measures to combat the COVID-19 outbreak in Indonesia, as its reason for attempting to push through the two contentious bills during the public health emergency.

Authorities have yet to decide on a rescheduled date for the elections, but have decided to reallocate the remaining balance of the elections budget to combat the COVID-19 epidemic in Indonesia.

Speaking at the House’s plenary meeting on Monday, Lawmaker Saan Mustopa of the NasDem Party claimed the bills were needed to mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Civil society groups have urged the House of Representatives to halt the deliberation of a controversial omnibus bill and focus on the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country during its current sitting session, which was opened on Monday.

"I want all of you, my colleagues, to give at least half of our salary to help those in need," Golkar Party lawmaker Nurul Arifin said during a plenary meeting at the House building in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Monday.

House of Representatives member Imam Suroso of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) passed away on Friday while being monitored for COVID-19.

Despite the central and Jakarta governments' policies of work from home and physical distancing, the House has decided to convene its next session on March 30 at the Senayan legislative complex.

Three political parties argued that free tests should instead be given to those who cannot afford them and medical workers on the frontlines of the pandemic.

President Jokowi quietly recruited Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto last week to speed up efforts to contain the novel coronavirus, asking him to procure medical and personal safety equipment from China by using the Indonesian Military (TNI) to fast-track the delivery.

The NGOs said that they feared that the government deliberately refused to formally impose a lockdown to evade responsibility. 

The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has called on the government to implement a lockdown in order to curb the spread of COVID-19, even as President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo reiterated his opposition to such a policy.

The parties have demanded the House cancel the plan, saying that the free tests that are funded by donations from House leaders and members, should be given to citizens who cannot afford them and medical workers who are working every day in hospitals.

The General Elections Commission (KPU) issued a decree on the postponement on Sunday but has not changed the date on which the elections will take place, which is Sept. 23.

House secretary-general Indra Iskandar told reporters on Monday that all 575 lawmakers and their immediate families - as well as their domestic workers and chauffeurs - would be tested for the virus using rapid test kits that are expected to arrive on Tuesday.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s lack of a clear and comprehensive plan to contain the COVID-19 coronavirus has both allies and critics calling for better solutions to avert the deeper crisis of a loss of public confidence.

The recess period, which started on Feb. 28, was initially scheduled to end on March 22.

The Democratic Party has demanded that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's administration enforce a lockdown on urban areas as well as provide financial assistance to low-income households who might lose their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The elections commissioner has implied that the ruling was flawed, arguing that the KPU had referred to a Constitutional Court ruling in the case.

House Speaker Puan Maharani said on Thursday that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo’s administration should take further and faster steps as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continued to grow.

The General Elections Commission (KPU) has set up scenarios and work patterns according to the protocol for dealing with COVID-19 issued by the government. The new scenario is expected to run until May 31, although the government declared a state of emergency from Feb. 29 to May 29.

Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM) deputy director Wahyudi Djafar said the Netherlands’ apology to Indonesia for its excessive violence in the past could be a lesson and motivation for the government to do the same for victims of past human rights violations and their families in this country.

The Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) has recommended that the General Elections Commission (KPU) prepare for delays to the 2020 regional elections in areas where people have tested positive for COVID-19.

The handover of Democratic Party leadership from former party chairman and former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to his eldest son Agus Hartimurti Yudhoyono is an opportunity for the party to consolidate and prepare for the upcoming 2024 election, observers have said. 

The House of Representatives and civil society groups have called on the General Elections Commission (KPU) to consider postponing regional elections scheduled for September and change political campaigning methods in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, the eldest son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has been elected as the Democratic Party’s new chairman by acclamation on Sunday, following in his father’s footsteps.

Democratic Party chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is set to deliver his last political speech as party chairman at the party’s national congress on Sunday as he will be replaced by a new leader.

Businessman-turned-politician Sandiaga Uno may have to bury his intention to become Gerindra Party chairman as incumbent Prabowo Subianto looks to retain his chairmanship at a party congress in April.