Special House council to probe bribery case

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

House of Representatives deputy speaker A.M. Fatwa said on Sunday that the House would establish an honor council to investigate corruption allegations involving legislators from the House's Commission IX on banking and finance.

Speaking in Manokwari, Papua, Fatwa said establishment of the honor council could not be delayed any longer as the situation could worsen if the House ignored public demands.

"I will keep on insisting and lobbying all factions in the House to establish the honor council to investigate the case openly without disregarding the presumption of innocence principles," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Some legislators from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction on Commission IX allegedly accepted US$1,000 bribes from the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency during the Bank Niaga divestment process.

Fatwa said the honor council would be established during the next House sitting, despite objections from the PDI Perjuangan faction.

Legislator Pramono Anung Wibowo of the PDI Perjuangan faction said he had not heard about the plan to establish an honor council.

He said Fatwa's statement was motivated by politics.

"The House leaders have no right to establish that kind of council because the establishment of any council needs members' approval during a plenary session. There are several procedures to go through before establishing it and it takes time," he told The Jakarta Post.

Pramono, however, agreed that a permanent honor council should be established to deal with any violations of House rules by legislators.

"If it is established as the law enforcer for the legislators' misconduct, I agree. There is too much politicking if this honor council is established based on one case," he said.