Send House members back to school

Send House members back to school

From Warta Kota

It has been reported in the mass media that many members of the House of Representatives have demonstrated improper behavior. On one occasion, for example, 24 House members from the Golkar Party gave their personal guarantee so that Nurdin Halid, a suspect in a corruption case now in detention, could return home to celebrate Idul Fitri with his family. It turned out that these House members, who were none other than Halid's cronies, were involved in a scam involving billions of rupiah in Bank Bali.

On another occasion, some House members used their interpellation right about the replacement of Gen. Endriartono as commander-in-chief of the Indonesian Military.

To the public, it seems that many of the House members know little about the House's standing orders, code of conduct or the rights and obligations of House members. It will be a good idea, therefore, to send them to the University of Indonesia, for example, to take a course on constitutional law and manners in a House session.

House members should not lash out at the government too quickly. Instead, they should help the government with constructive criticism. Otherwise, they will simply put on airs and pretend to be smart. Finally, they must remember that they are paid by the people, not by their political party!

S. WALUYO Depok, West Java