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House speakers summoned over alleged ethics violations
Claiming their innocence: House deputy speaker Fadli Zon (left) and House speaker Setya Novanto speak at a press conference to explain their meeting with US presidential candidate Donald Trump during their visit to the US in early September
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Claiming their innocence: House deputy speaker Fadli Zon (left) and House speaker Setya Novanto speak at a press conference to explain their meeting with US presidential candidate Donald Trump during their visit to the US in early September. (tempo.co) (left) and House speaker Setya Novanto speak at a press conference to explain their meeting with US presidential candidate Donald Trump during their visit to the US in early September. (tempo.co)
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span class="caption">Claiming their innocence: House deputy speaker Fadli Zon (left) and House speaker Setya Novanto speak at a press conference to explain their meeting with US presidential candidate Donald Trump during their visit to the US in early September. (tempo.co)
The House of Representatives ethics council (MKD) says it will discuss alleged ethics violations by two House leaders, Setya Novanto and Fadli Zon, relating to the pair's meeting with US business tycoon and presidential candidate Donald Trump.
'We have summoned them [to a meeting on Monday] but haven't got their replies yet,' MKD deputy chairman Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said as quoted by tempo.co in Jakarta on Sunday.
He was reluctant to discuss details of the meeting's agenda. He only confirmed that they would not reach any decisions at the meeting as the examination of alleged ethics violations was a long process.
An Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) member, Adian Napitupulu, one of lawmakers who reported the alleged violation to the MKD, said he would fully entrust the council with the investigation process. However, he urged the MKD to give a tough sanction to both lawmakers.
'This is related to the dignity of the House. At the MKD, a lawmaker can be removed from their position if they violate state ethics,' said Adian.
The lawmaker said he was certain that the MKD would be fair and show loyalty to the people. He said what had been done by the two lawmakers had led people to make fun of the House. Moreover, he continued, Setya and Fadli were House leaders and as such, on their recent visit to the US they could've be seen as representing the 560 other House members.
Adian said both Setya and Fadli should not have attended the press conference of the US presidential candidate. It was prohibited, he added, for House leaders to attend regional head elections, let alone a US presidential campaign event.
In early September, Setya and a House delegation appeared at a press conference held by US presidential candidate Donald Trump, drawing sharp criticism both in Indonesia and abroad. Seven lawmakers reported the two House leaders to the MKD, claiming that they had tarnished the image of the nation. (edn/ebf)
