Developing the House of Representative an Institution for Public Political Participation

This research, titled “ Developing the House of Representative an Institution for Public Political Participation” aimed to (1) study the operational processes and outcomes of handling public grievances in the House of Representatives; (2) analyze the problems, obstacles, and limitations in legislative and policy-related operations of the House and relevant agencies; and (3) propose effective approaches for managing public grievance consultations to enhance the House of Representatives as a genuine political institution of the people. A mixed methods research design was employed, combining documentary research with fieldwork research to enable comprehensive data analysis. The documentary research focused on secondary sources, including rules, regulations, and procedures of the House of Representatives, as well as legislative practices in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Sweden. Relevant academic theories on political institutions and representative democracy were also examined. The findings revealed that public opinion regarding the House of Representatives’ performance in addressing public grievances was at a “high” level (mean = 3.76, S.D. = 0.78). The highest-rated aspect was the perception that the House operates with transparency and accountability, while the lowest-rated aspects involved communication efficiency, clarity in problem-solving, and fairness in handling complaints. Meanwhile, the level of public expectation toward the House of Representatives’ role was found to be at the “highest” level (mean = 4.29, S.D. = 0.81). Citizens strongly expected transparent follow-up procedures, reliability in times of hardship, and effective coordination with responsible agencies. However, the grievance process remains rigid and fragmented, with lengthy procedures that fail to reflect the urgency of public issues. Delays were noted in submission, deliberation, and agency response often exceeding timelines. Legal gaps were also found, such as the lack of enforcement authority to compel action or information disclosure, limiting MPs’ ability to hold agencies accountable or drive meaningful reform.