Councillor quits in protest of corruption
Councillor quits in protest of corruption
Kasparman, The Jakarta Post, Padang, West Sumatra
In a rare political move, a politician from the National Mandate
Party (PAN) has decided to resign as a member of the West Sumatra
legislative council in protest against the legislature ignoring
local people's aspirations.
M. Zein Gomo tendered his official resignation to the council
speaker on Monday. It came amid an investigation into his
colleagues in connection with corruption in the council.
"Why should I continue in my position as a councillor if my
voice is no longer listened to?" he asked journalists.
Since May 22, 2001, Zein had skipped meetings at his
legislative office, saying councillors ignored the aspirations of
local people and instead were involved in rampant corruption.
He explained that the graft included Rp 274 million in Idul
Fitri bonuses given by state-owned firm PT Semen Padang to the 54
members of the council for two years.
The company also provided assistance funds for 10 legislators
to go on an Islamic pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, he added.
All the funds, Zein alleged, were part of efforts to bribe the
councillors to support the controversial spin-off of Semen
Padang.
He also accused local legislators of involvement in
corruption, whereby the provincial budget increased funding
allocations for the council, which later caused financial
irregularities.
Zein said his resignation was also due to the council's
refusal to heed his demands for legislators to investigate the
alleged financial irregularities and ensure transparency in
drafting the budget.
He demanded that the council establish a team of experts to
oversee its duties and other activities, which were in violation
of existing laws. This was also rejected.
Not only were his demands ignored, Zein said, he was even
ostracized by other council members after making his demands.
He said that thus far the council had no political will to
eradicate corruption as its members could not rid themselves of
such unlawful habits.
"The council has no conscience to respond to the people's
interests," he added.
However, Zein's resignation was perceived by his critics as a
political move aimed at trying to escape legal action against
legislators accused of involvement in irregularities associated
with the 2002 budget.
They argued that Zein's PAN was among the factions in the
council that approved the budget.
The critics blasted Zein's move to skip council meetings,
saying the decision was made only as a token gesture, to appear
that he was siding with the aspirations of local people who
demanded that corruption in the legislature be investigated.
The corruption allegations are being dealt with by the West
Sumatra Prosecutor's Office, and deputy speaker of the council
Masfar Rasyid has been detained.