Rebels in the MPR

Rebels in the MPR

Rebel is the right name for those lawmakers in both the executive and legislature who refuse to declare their wealth. Due to their rebellion, they may be said not to care about the reform agenda that must be upheld, namely the eradication of corruption, collusion and nepotism.

Why should they be called rebels? Although it is clearly stated that the law obliges all state executives to report their wealth, there are still some of them who do not want to so.

But, what can be done about it? Based on the data revealed by the State Officials' Wealth Audit Commission, there are still 92 members of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) who do not want to report their wealth.

Whatever their justifications may be, there is no other word to describe them than rebels. They are individuals who do not want to comply with the law. They are also not afraid to drive a coach and horses through loopholes in the law.

What can be done about these rebels? If their rebellion is allowed to succeed, the people will surely get the impression that the government commands no respect at all among these rebels. As regards the rebels in the legislature, if the political parties to which they belong to do not impose sanctions on them, the parties are also abrogating their responsibilities to uphold the law of the land.

Our principal question is how do they expect to be allowed to control the executive if they themselves flout the law?

-- Republika, Jakarta