Politicians' behavior

Politicians' behavior

From Kompas

The behavior of politicians in the House of
Representatives/People's Consultative Assembly (MPR/DPR) should
arouse the nation's grave concern.

Almost none of them are of good character, and remain
consistent in pursuit of their own interests.

The public is, in fact, sick of their conduct. But they always
claim to act in the name of the people, from whom their salaries
originate.

When Soeharto was Indonesia's president and chief patron of
the Functional Group (Golkar), criticism had already been aroused
against him for holding both jobs.

In the time since, politicians occupying executive and
legislative posts at the same time have firmly refused to resign
from either one of them.

Equally tragic is the case of human rights (HAM) violations
involving high-ranking military officers.

If the case of Semanggi I and II continues to be unresolved,
what about the dead and injured in Ambon? Who is to be held
responsible for them? No one?

Is one life lost in Ambon less worthy than one in Java? While
there were dozens of victims of Semanggi I and II, thousands have
perished in Ambon. The Ambon case should have prompted the
formation of hundreds of inquiry teams and HAM violation
investigating committees.

What will become of our country if serious cases are left
unsettled? Today's politicians even do not know how to make a
choice between a political solution and a legal settlement of
cases. This is not speaking of using their conscience.

It seems that they need to learn from history. Or perhaps are
they no longer capable of learning?

If so, they should just step down and allow others -- people
with some conscience -- to fill their shoes.

M Q GUNADI

Jakarta