Observers have accused the House of Representatives' ethics council of stalling for time in its hearing of a case of alleged misconduct by House Speaker Setya Novanto.

Yunarto Wijaya, a political analyst with Jakarta-based Charta Politika, said on Monday that the decision to summon Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan to the hearing was nothing more than a delaying act resembling previous attempts by several members of the council to postpone the hearing, with excuses ranging from the occurrence of regional elections to questions over the legality of an audio recording at the center of the case.

"The council is now calling someone whom it seems clear is hardly central to the case. The council is clearly using Luhut to stall for time ahead of the [House] recess on Dec. 18, " he told thejakartapost.com.

Luhut was not present during a meeting between Setya, oilman Muhammad Reza Chalid and PT Freeport Indonesia president director Maroef Sjamsoeddin that discussed an alleged conspiracy to help secure Freeport's contract extension in return for favors. The council summoned Luhut as his name was repeatedly mentioned by Setya and Reza in the conversation, a recording of which was released publically last month.

Yunarto urged the council to immediately conclude whether Setya'€™s meeting with Reza and Maroef constituted an ethical breach.

Separately, Philips J. Vermonte, a political researcher at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said that the council had failed to fulfill its task of ensuring the House'€™s ethical integrity.

The council, Philips said, had shown favoritism when it should have not taken sides at all.

"The council is not independent anymore. There's an abnormal process in the council that renders it unable to fulfill its role as it should," he said, castigating the special treatment shown toward Setya, who was granted a closed hearing.

Luhut testified before the council on Monday afternoon, denying all allegations that he was involved in the scandal.

The council also summoned the mysterious oil and gas businessman Reza, who reportedly has close ties with Indonesia's top officials, as he had left the country at the beginning of this month. It was the second time Reza failed to attend the hearing. (rin)

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