Irate legislators grumble over criticism of their lavish lifestyles

The speech made by the country’s antigraft czar, Busyro Muqoddas, in Jakarta last week has stirred angry rebuttals from members of the House of Representatives irked by his stinging criticism of their “lavish” lifestyles.

While some legislators dismissed Busyro’s speech as a publicity stunt, others accused him of political maneuvering ahead of the House’s selection of the next chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

“Don’t make controversial statements,” House Speaker Marzuki Alie told reporters on Tuesday, in a statement apparently voicing the indignation of lawmakers.

Marzuki, a politician from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s Democratic Party, argued that it was inappropriate for Busyro to criticize the lawmakers while the House was gearing up for the selection of the new antigraft chief among the candidates for which is Busyro.

“Act, don’t talk so much,” Marzuki told Busyro, adding that instead of lashing out at lawmakers, the KPK chief should focus on solving numerous high-profile graft cases under KPK investigation.

“The KPK boss is wide of the mark. Certain lawmakers have been successful businesspeople before entering the House. If there are members who have suddenly become rich after becoming politicians, then it is the law enforcers’ job to investigate them.”

The House has begun the series of tests of eight KPK leader candidates to replace the current KPK leadership, with the exception of Busyro who was elected last year to replace the jailed former KPK chief Antasari Azhar.

Under a Constitutional Court ruling, Busyro will continue his tenure as one of the KPK’s five leaders. His position as KPK chairman, however, could drop to deputy chairman as it is the House that will elect the new chairman.

The chairman of the House’s law and human rights commission, Benny Kabur Harman, accused Busyro of attempting to interfere with the selection process.

In his speech at Jakarta’s Taman Ismail Marzuki cultural center last Thursday, Busyro slammed the extravagant lifestyles of officials including lawmakers, which were, he said, a sign of moral decadence and rampant corruption.

“The Toyota Crown Royal Saloon official cars, far more luxurious than the official car of the prime minister of a neighboring country, are an example of politicians and bureaucrats’ pragmatism and hedonism. This is the root of corruption, making corrupt practices look ordinary,” he said. He added that luxurious legislators did not reflect their mandates as people’s representatives.

Religious leaders and activists echoed Busyro’s criticisms, to the chagrin of the lawmakers, especially those who admitted to having a luxurious lifestyle.

Golkar Party lawmaker Bambang Soesatyo is among the politicians who own luxurious vehicles. According to his wealth report, Bambang, a businessman, owns 15 vehicles, including a Bentley, a Hummer and a Harley Davidson, worth a total of Rp 10.4 billion (US$1.15 million).

“Why should we pretend to be modest if only to seek sympathy? I am what I am, but I don’t brag or show off,” he said.

Febri Diansyah of the Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) said the lawmakers were overreacting. “If politicians are clean, there should be no reason for them to react like that,” he said, adding that lawmakers should be eager to declare their wealth to the public.

“Don’t resist criticism.”