Bali Regional House of Representatives

The Bali Regional House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah Provinsi Bali) is the unicameral legislature of the Indonesian province of Bali. It has 55 members elected every five years.

History
During the Dutch East Indies government and throughout the Japanese occupation, Bali maintained a quasi-legislative/advisory body, the Paruman Agung, founded in 1938 and counting eight monarchs of Bali as members. In the Indonesian National Revolution, the Paruman Agung was expanded to include 36 members in 1946, and in 1947 the body was divided into a council for the monarchs and a separate council of representatives to be elected.

By 1950, the council of monarchs was abolished, and legislative functions was transferred to a democratically elected Regional House of Representatives (DPRD). I Gusti Putu Merta served as the council's inaugural chairman. Among the early laws adopted by the council was the annulling of all local laws prohibiting inter-caste marriage in 1951, greatly changing Balinese society. The first election to the DPRD was held in 1955, with the Indonesian National Party winning the most votes and seats, followed by the Indonesian Socialist Party and the Indonesian Communist Party.

The legislature's current building was inaugurated in 1988, and was renovated after a fire in 2000. Prior to the current building, the legislature convened in a one-story building in the Sanur area of Denpasar.

Membership


In the 2019–2024 and the upcoming 2024–2029 terms, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) controls an outright majority of seats. PDI-P's I Nyoman Adi Wiryatama has served as speaker of the legislature since 28 October 2014.