Committee to draft House code of ethics
Committee to draft House code of ethics
JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives (DPR) on Monday
established a special committee to discuss a draft code of ethics
for legislators and the amendment of the House's standing orders.
"Our main tasks are to draft a code of ethics for legislators,
especially concerning the acceptance of gifts from people and
institutions, and the holding of more than one position by
members," committee member Hamdan Zoelva from the Crescent Star
Party (PBB) faction said after attending the House plenary
session.
Another issue that will be discussed by the committee is the
regulations governing the holding of closed-door meetings and
what sanctions should be imposed on legislators who divulge the
outcomes of such meetings, Hamdan remarked.
He further said that the committee would also discuss the
possibility of establishing a disciplinary committee that would
have the authority to impose sanctions on any members violating
the code of ethics.
During the plenary session, which was led by deputy House
speaker Tosari Widjaja, the House also appointed 50 legislators
from all 10 factions as members of the special committee.
As with other special committees, each faction is represented
proportionately on the committee and the chairman is elected from
among the 50 committee members.
Regarding the House standing rules, Hamdan said they would
focus on several issues such as the long-drawn-out procedures
required to pass a bill into law.
"Right now we have to go through four stages before we can
pass a bill. But, we are thinking of reducing this to only two
stages for the passage of bills," he added.
The legislator said the code of ethics could be incorporated
in the House's internal regulations or be set out as a separate
draft.
Another committee member, Syamsul Muarif from the Golkar Party
faction, said that the committee members would start work and
elect the chairman of the committee next week.
"We have to draw up a code of ethics as part of the process of
implementing Law No. 4/1999 on the position and status of
legislators. This obligates the adoption of such a code of ethics
for legislators," Syamsul said.
"This is part of the effort to improve the quality of the
House," he added. (dja)