Thu, 06 Sep 2001

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)