Dishonorable House members

Dishonorable House members

The House of Representatives failed to pass the controversial broadcasting bill into law during its plenary session on Monday as only less than half of 500 House members showed up.

Being lazy and failing to attend the sessions is popular with House members. And those that turn up sometime leave when a session is underway.

Monday's session reminded us of the deliberation of the Bill on Child Protection. Only 40, or 8 percent, of the 319 members attended. Ironically, the bill was passed into law.

House members may have avoided the session on the broadcasting bill, which has evoked resistance, mainly from within the broadcasting circle.

By skipping the plenary session the House members felt free of their obligation to sign or reject the bill. But they proved they were not honorable.

Skipping sessions is not noble behavior for House members. It is unrespectful behavior to solve a national problem. They should have been aware that if they did not agree with the broadcasting bill, being absent from the session was just a move to delay its deliberation.

We support the plenary session sitting to debate the bill. We should know what parties support the bill and what parties are against.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta