IN the legislative process, almost all bills approved by the House of Representatives (DPR) gain approval from the president. The Batam Free-Trade Zone Bill, however, is a different case and has stirred controversy. Last week, President Megawati Sukarnoputri refused to sign the bill, though it had gained full approval in the DPR.

Bills approved by the DPR that pass through the president’s office without problem normally come under public