House code of ethics ready for approval next week

House code of ethics ready for approval next week

JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives is scheduled to
approve its long-awaited code of ethics next week, which is aimed
at helping repair its badly-tarnished image, Yahya Zaini
of the House's legislative body in charge of the draft said on
Wednesday.

Yahya, the deputy chairman of the body, said that deliberation
of the code's draft was nearly complete and was expected to be
recommended to the House's plenary session for approval next
week.

"The legislative body is in the process of making final
changes to the draft," Yahya told The Jakarta Post.

He explained that the code of ethics would be the first ever
possessed by the House aimed at sanctioning legislators found to
have transgressed existing regulations.

"Enactment of the code of ethics is expected to help prevent
legislators from committing unethical deeds and any other crimes,
because it will threaten to impose heavier administrative
sanctions that could lead to their dismissal," he said.

Besides requiring that legislators comply with the
regulations, the code of ethics also regulates how they should
develop their communications and relations with other
institutions, including private and state companies.

Any House members absent from House proceedings for three
consecutive days without providing any clear reason are
considered to be in violation of the code of ethics, while those
who fail to attend a House meeting are prohibited from offering
any comments on it.

The code of ethics also regulates interruption procedures in
the House sessions, to avoid disturbances.

Yahya said the legislators are prohibited from abusing their
job and status for financial advantage by receiving gifts in any
form or from any party during visits to the regions.

The prohibition is based on the fact that all transportation
fees, including plane tickets, hotel fares and allowances, are
covered by the House," he said.

"The legislators are also barred from accepting bribes and
forming special ties with the House's partner institutions,
agencies and companies for financial advantage, because they have
their own monthly salaries," Yahya added.

He said that, according to the code of ethics, legislators
found guilty of accepting bribes or committing crimes would be
dismissed from the House and prosecuted in court in line with the
law.

The House has been bombarded with criticism of its poor
performance, which is not considered to be commensurate with the
high monthly salary of over Rp 9 million (US$1,000) they receive,
he said.

In addition to the high salary, House members also enjoy at
least 10 allowances covering housing, car credit, phone and
electricity bills, transportation and laundry. Legislators have
also faced criticism for using luxurious cars, including Mercedes
Benz, Jaguar and BMW.

In addition to enactment of the code of ethics, the House will
be asked to establish an honorary council to investigate
violations by legislators.

The honorary council, whose members will represent the
existing factions, will also be in charge of evaluating all
reports and complaints leveled against legislators.

Zein Badjeber, chairman of the legislative body, said the
honorary council was badly needed, not only to take action
against disobedient legislators, but also to protect legislators
from arbitrary accusations and false reports.

"The honorary council will maintain the presumption of
innocence in conducting their duties. The most important thing is
that we want the legislators to comply with the existing rules so
as to help improve the House's bad image," he said. (rms)