Code of conduct in DPR

Code of conduct in DPR

From Kompas

I watched SCTV's live report on the introductory address for
the draft state budget delivered by the vice president on Jan.
20, 2000, and observed that a number of members of the House of
Representatives were not in the convention room but stayed
outside instead, doing such activities as smoking, talking on
cellular telephones, chatting and giving interviews to the media
(including SCTV).

Regardless of whether or not the activities outside the
convention room could be postponed, the situation referred to
above has aroused my curiosity about whether or not there is a
code of conduct for attending a session at the House, because as
shown in the live television report some House members freely
went into and out of the convention room to do what they wanted.

The activities of these House members outside the convention
room, as shown on television, gives the impression that they were
not earnest enough in helping solve the serious problems that the
nation is facing. So the saying that they simply come, sit and
get money is really applicable to them. However, more ironically,
while the introductory address for the draft state budget was
still being read, a House member gave an interview to an SCTV
reporter in which he expressed his appreciation for the draft
state budget. The question is, when did this House member learn
about the draft state budget?

According to the norm of politeness, a student is not allowed
to leave the classroom without the teacher's permission,
especially if he wants to leave the classroom only to have a
cigarette, a chat or make a telephone call. Only when a student
has an urgent need to go to the toilet is he allowed to leave the
classroom. The people are now longing for reliable
representatives.

BAMBANG UTOMO

Jakarta