Old problem spells doom for Commission for the Elderly

The absence of a fresh mandate appeared to be the last nail in the coffin for the Commission for the Elderly (Komnas Lansia), with the government finally deciding to dissolve the government-sanctioned body. The commission was among 10 agencies founded by either a presidential regulation or a presidential decree that were disbanded by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo last week as part of his debureaucratization efforts. Prior to its disbandment, the commission had been struggling to stay afloat. Former commissioner Adhi Santika said Komnas Lansia had been brought to a virtual standstill in early 2015, particularly as President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo did not renew the expiring decree for its commissioners nor issued a new decree to appoint new commissioners. “The last presidential decree to appoint new commissioners was issued in 2012. According to the d…