Upholding the rule of law<\/p>\n
In Indonesia we follow and honor the legal principles of
\nequality before the law and the presumption of innocence. As
\nthose are accepted principles, we should honor them, irrespective
\nof who is the target.<\/p>\n
The first democratically elected President was a member of the
\nNational Awakening Party (PKB). I was surprised to read an
\narticle published in The Jakarta Post on March 9, 2002 calling
\nfor the removal of Akbar Tandjung from his position as speaker of
\nthe House of Representatives (DPR).<\/p>\n
The PKB's call for the immediate replacement of Akbar Tandjung
\nas the House speaker is rather strange, considering that the
\nPKB's leaders are politically experienced.<\/p>\n
According to PKB member Effendi Choirie, one of the reasons
\nfor Akbar's removal from his post seems to be the fact that the
\nDPR, as one of the highest institutions in the country, needs to
\nclean up its increasingly tarnished image. On top of that, Akbar
\nis accused of a crime. If the DPR's reputation was intact then
\nthere would be no need for the PKB to propose Akbar's
\nresignation. But this proposal has fallen on deaf ears.<\/p>\n
There are other things that can be done to improve the
\ntarnished image of the DPR, without violating the law. For
\ninstance, the conspicuously poor turnout of members. The daily
\nnewspaper Merdeka printed a picture of the DPR recently in
\nsession showing rows of empty seats and members sleeping, yawning
\nor eating snacks. Why did Choirie not mention this?<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla, also a
\nmember of the Golkar party, has set a good example by saying that
\nthe detention of Akbar is a good start to upholding the law.
\nDemonstrations to support Akbar Tandjung are a waste of energy.
\nAkbar Tandjung is being detained as an individual and certainly
\nnot as the chairman of Golkar party.<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/upholding-the-rule-of-law-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }