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Fadli Zon reported to House ethics council for abuse of power
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House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Fadli Zon speaks to journalists regarding the complaint filed against him by several non government organizations to the House ethics council on June 30. (Antara/Hafidz Mubarak)
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ctivists reported House of Representatives' Deputy Speaker Fadli Zon and lawmaker Rachel Maryam to the House' ethics council on Thursday. Activists allege that Fadli and Rachel may have abused their position in public office for personal gain.
The report was submitted on Thursday by activists from Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), Elections and Democracy (Perludem) and the Indonesia Budget Center alleging that ill-action may have been undertaken by Fadli and Rachel -- both Gerindra Party politicians – suggesting that both demanded that state facilities be provided by Indonesian missions abroad during personal trips.
"We believe the two of them violated House Ethics Code article 6 paragraph 4 on the prohibition of abuse of office," ICW member Donal Fariz said at the House complex, as quoted by Tempo.co on Thursday.
Fadli and Rachel are reported to have sent letters to the Indonesian consulate general in New York, US, and the Indonesian embassy in Paris, France, respectively, stipulating their request for facilities. Fadli allegedly requested transportation and companionship for his daughter, Shafa Sabila Fadli, who was to visit New York for a month. The letter was made public and Fadli immediately claimed that he knew nothing about the request. He repaid the money spent on his daughter by the consulate general.
The consulate confirmed in a press release that it had received the request from the House secretariat general but, due to budget constraints, had only been able to provide a car to fetch Shafa at the airport.
Rachel, who currently serves in House commission I overseeing foreign affairs, is reported to have sent a letter requesting that the Indonesian ambassador to France provide facilities for her and six family members during a visit to Paris in March. She admitted to writing the letter, but claimed that she had only requested that the embassy provide transportation during her stay. She later insisted that she had used personal funds to pay for the chartered transport, provided with the help of the embassy. (liz/rin)
