http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/marzuki-says-corrupt-lawmakers-damage-house-reputation/568717?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=jgnewsletter
Marzuki Says Corrupt Lawmakers Damage House Reputation SP/Carlos Paath | January 31, 2013 The Prosperous Justice Party president Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq. (JG Photo/Safir Makki) House of Representatives Speaker Marzuki Alie on Thursday admitted that Indonesia's political reputation had been further damaged, following the latest corruption scandal involving a lawmaker. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Wednesday declared lawmaker Luthfi Hasan Ishak, who chairs the Prosperous Justice Party, as a graft suspect in a corruption case involving meat imports. "If he is really involved, the House of Representatives will sink even deeper, and the face of the House of Representatives will become even darker and grimmer," Marzuki explained. Marzuki said it was now up to the political parties represented at the House of Representatives to work even harder to improve their image that had been tarnished by several individuals from within their parties. “We should be seeking for a solution so that the image of the House of Representatives can be repaired. Political parties have to have a firm commitment to act against their members who engage in corruption," Marzuki said, adding that he hoped the allegations against the PKS president turned out to be false. The corruption body arrested four people in a bribery sting at the Le Meridien Hotel in Jakarta on Tuesday night, with the suspects allegedly caught in possession of Rp 1 billion ($103,000), separated into two plastic bags. Although Luthfi did not receive the money directly, Johan Budi, a spokesman for the KPK, said they had assembled sufficient evidence to prove that the bribe was intended for him in return for a lucrative contract to import meat. While Luthfi has been detained, the Honor Council for the House of Representatives (BK) has not dismissed Luthfi, who is a member of House Commission IV, which oversees agricultural and forestry affairs, adding that the move would only be taken if he became a defendant in court. "According to the law on the Legislative Bodies, if Mr. Luthfi sits on the defendant's bench in front of the panel of judges, then he would have to be temporarily suspended, from the House membership,” said BK member Ali Maschan Moesa. Maschan, who is from the National Awakening Party (PKB), said that under a suspension Luthfi would only receive his principle wage and enjoy no other facilities or allowances. He added that a definitive dismissal could only be taken once a verdict was issued by the Supreme Court. "But it would be much better for him to resign first before he is discharged," Maschan said. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
