House Speaker must act

House Speaker Wahono once accused some government leaders of hypocrisy. Recently he stated that many officials acted in the name of the people for their own advantage or to benefit their cronies, which means they abused their power and at the same time violated the law and State Policy Outlines.

Since Wahono made the statements in his capacity as House speaker, they must have carried weight and been supported by valid data.

My question now is: What follow-up measures should be taken to save the nation?

In my opinion Wahono could take the following steps:

* Call a hearing with the officials, who should give an account of events because the House has the right of control and supervision.

* If Wahono is dissatisfied with the outcome, as speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly he can submit the case to the assembly's general session.

* If the head of any supreme state agency is found guilty of violating the law, the speaker could take the case to the assembly's general session.

Proper measures should be indiscriminately taken against anyone guilty of violating laws.

SUHARSONO HADIKUSUMO

Jakarta