Bribery in the House?

Bribery in the House?

We were stunned when we were asked whether the crisis was still going on or whether it was all over.

There are many examples that show why this question is relevant. The latest is the alleged bribery of House Commission IX in connection with the government's divestment of Bank Niaga.

A number of House members admitted to being bribed. Others have even said bribery is common practice.

For the House this is crucial. House members were elected in the 1999 general election, which was more democratic than previous elections and was imbued with hopes of reform. One item in the reform agenda is the establishment of clean governance.

In this context, the House and its members are in the vanguard of reform agenda implementation. House members must know that central to reform is the eradication of corruption, collusion and nepotism.

Though their task is onerous, House members must appreciate that they have become politicians, not through any obligation or appointment, but through their own volition and vocation. Critical to this is a need for ethical and morally proper conduct.

To be able to answer whether the crisis is still going on or is now all over, we must be able to establish a comprehensive framework of reference, principle and dimension for noble and serious positions such as those of House members.

--Kompas, Jakarta