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)