Ministers offended?

Ministers offended?

Bambang Warih Koesoemo has been dismissed as a member of the House of Representatives purportedly because he sinned against cabinet ministers. The statements and remarks made by this representative of the people who hails from East Java were regarded by Golkar, the organization to which he belongs, as having offended the feelings of four cabinet ministers.

The press statement issued by the chairman of the Karya Pembangunan (Golkar) faction, Moestahid Astari, does not make it quite clear how Golkar knew that the ministers were offended. Common sense, however, would make us believe that the ministers in question had complained to Golkar concerning Bambang's conduct, although according to the Minister of Industry Tunky Ariwibowo he did not feel affronted.

Not all members of the House of Representatives are good at using euphemisms. The exercise of tact in asking questions may or may not be effective. It would be effective if the ministers concerned are able to grasp the hidden message. It would not be effective if, due to the wish to be polite, the substance contained in the question or remark becomes unclear for both the questioner and the questioned.

Moreover, the question of decorum in a House Commission meeting is the responsibility of the chairman. The chairman has the right to admonish a member who is regarded as impolite and cabinet ministers have the right to convey to him their objection to the manner of asking and to the content of any question made.

The Golkar leadership is well advised to give a more plausible explanation of the case. We do not want Bambang's removal to cause House members to refrain from asking questions because they are afraid to offend cabinet ministers.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta