Bribery tarnishes

Bribery tarnishes
image of DPR

From Rakyat Merdeka

The chairman of the House of Representatives' Commission V,
Surya Dharma Ali of the United Development Party (PPP), has made
comments that may be considered counterproductive to the efforts
to uphold the law in Indonesia. Ali's comments, which were made
in support of A.M. Fatwa, could be construed as legislative
intervention in the work of the police in uncovering bribery in
the House.

Farid R. Faqih, the director of Government Watch (GOWA), was
right to say that as the police were handling this case, members
of House Commission V should make no comment at all. As has been
reported in the media, A.M. Fatwa and Surya Dharma Ali had
knowledge of this bribery case.

Ali should be suspected as from the very beginning tried to
have this case shelved by means of arranging a meeting between
A.M. Fatwa and Permadi. Thanks to Permadi's courage, the bribery
case, which has tarnished the House's reputation, has been
reported in the mass media.

There are several steps that the police and the prosecutors
should take to investigate this case. First, an investigation
should be launched into Ali's statement, which has served to
defend A.M. Fatwa in this case.

Second, the PPP should strongly reprimand Ali as his
intervention in this case could damage the image of the PPP.
Because of what Ali has done, the PPP may lose votes in the 2004
election.

Third, A.M. Fatwa and Permadi must in a gentlemanly manner
hold a public debate without involving their attorneys so that
the public may know who is lying in this case.

Fourth, the youth wing of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and
PAN voters in the 1999 election must immediately urge PAN to
expel A.M. Fatwa from the party. Afterwards, it must immediately
find somebody else to replace Fatwa in the House.

In this way, PAN can save itself before the 2004 election,
prove itself a true a reformist party and boost its votes. It is
only daydreaming to hope that Fatwa will resign from PAN and the
House of his own volition.

MUHAMMAD AGUNG ISTOWO

California

United States