House disciplinary council to grill legislators after recess

Parliamentary watchdog investigations into two legislators reported to the House of Representatives disciplinary council for serving their tenure despite being convicted on criminal charges will begin when the legislative body resumes its sitting session early in April.

Chairman of the council Gayus Lumbuun said Thursday both Muhammad Izzul Islam from the United Development Party (PPP) and As’ad Syam from the Democratic Party would face questioning as soon as the current recess ends.

“We need to thoroughly examine [all evidence]. Should they be found to have violated the law and are sentenced by the Supreme Court, then they must quit,” Gayus said.

A coalition of parliamentary watchdogs filed reports with the council on Wednesday against Izzul, As’ad and six others lawmakers for alleged violations of the code of ethics and the law.

The Supreme Court upheld the lower courts’ verdicts that convicted Izzul and As’ad of diploma forgery and corruption respectively. Supreme Court verdicts are legally binding, although convicts may request case reviews.

Izzul told The Jakarta Post he received a suspended jail term, which he said did not deprive him of his rights as a free citizen.

“Therefore, my status is the same as any other citizen. I can only be dismissed from the House if I commit a crime within my probation period,” he said.

However, Gayus said he would inquire to see whether suspended jail sentences carry as severe consequences in the House as heavier punishments.

Apart from As’ad and Izzul, the coalition of NGOs reported House speaker Marzuki Alie from the Democratic Party and two council members — Golkar’s Chaeruman Harahap and Nudirman Munir.
The NGOs deemed that three of the lawmakers had  violated House ethics as they were involved in a brawl during the recent plenary session on the Bank Century bailout case.

Marzuki, on the other hand, has been likened to a dictator for taking it upon himself to cancel hearings, such as one between the House health commission and health minister, during his first few weeks in office.

Gayus said that Marzuki’s position as the House’s top leader did not protect him from an investigation by the council.

Marzuki dismissed the allegations leveled against him.
He said he never canceled any House hearings and pointed the finger at one of his former deputies, the late Marwoto Mitrohardjono from the National Mandate Party (PAN), who died a few months ago.
“Pak Marwoto was the one who canceled meetings,” Marzuki told reporters.