Disrespect by House members

On Wednesday, March 6, the State Officials' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN) announced that, as of March 5, 2001, at 3 p.m., 157 House members had not yet returned to the KPKPN, the personal wealth forms they are required to complete. Of course, whatever the reason may be, this is truly regretful and must be considered serious negligence.

In this context, based on previous reports, it has been frequently disclosed that some House members have shown a marked increase in their wealth in a very short time, a case that political and social observers as well as the general public have criticized and satirized in the mass media. These criticisms and satires may really hurt the House as an institution. The parking lot at the House compound now resembles a luxury car showroom in Beverly Hills, so much so, that the parking lot during the New Order era pales in comparison, despite it being apparently the period said to be laden with nepotism, corruption and collusion.

Therefore, while appreciating a number of House members, particularly the faction of the Armed Forces and National Police who have completed and returned all their forms, we still hope that other House members will immediately comply with the government regulation on their personal wealth.

House members' compliance with and respect for the KPKPN form, reflects, among other things, their high appreciation of the supremacy of the law. Indeed, House members must, above everyone else, be the first to obey the laws they have drafted themselves.

-- Suara Karya, Jakarta