MPs need code of conduct: Scholars
MPs need code of conduct: Scholars
JAKARTA (JP): Political observers and scholars called on the
government on Wednesday to introduce a code of conduct for
members of the House of Representatives to enable them to behave
more prudently and wisely in channeling the aspirations of the
people they represent.
Speaking at a one-day seminar on "Political Ethics and Morale
in a Democracy" Siswono Yudohusodo, a former transmigration
minister and Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri, former rector of the
prestigious Gadjah Mada University, said that incumbent
legislators have repeatedly shown their immature attitude in
exercising their political rights.
"Ignorance of political ethics among the legislators is
evidenced by a recurrent trade of insults against each other,
highlighted by money politics and political engineering,"
commented Siswono, currently the chairman of the Association of
Indonesian Farmers (HKTI).
He pointed out that such unhealthy political undertakings has
worried the general public.
"There has been public concern over the degradation of
political ethics so we do need a guideline for the legislators in
carrying out their duty as the representatives of the people," he
added.
He said many legislators, who were elected by the people, have
acted either for their own personal interest and/or that of their
political parties or for the benefit of the people they are
representing.
"Many of our politicians follow the Machiavellian view, which
totally separates ethics from politics, and which justifies all
means to achieve their goals," he said, noting that a set of
guidelines for politicians is needed to achieve true democracy.
He also said that true democracy requires certain limitations
and social control as stipulated in the country's constitution.
Koesnadi, meanwhile, suggested that such a code of conduct
could regulate the attitudes of legislators in the same manner as
the journalists' code of ethics would of reporters and editors.
"For example every legislator should know an ethical way to
interrupt the sessions, or how to restrain themselves from giving
illogical statements on certain problems that they do not
understand," Koesnadi said.
Citing an example of the attitude of many legislators during
the interpellation motion with President Abdurrahman Wahid last
week, Koesnadi said the legislators had demonstrated their
hostile attitude towards the head of state.
"The code of conduct should also be socialized to the general
public so that they could control the legislators in performing
their duty," Koesnadi remarked. (dja)