Jombang, East Java (Antara Bali) - United Development Party (PPP) Chairman Muhammad Romahurmuziy has urged the House of Representatives' Ethics Council (MKD) to transparently resolve alleged ethics violation by House Speaker Setya Novanto in connection with PT Freeport Indonesia.
"We urge the MKD to openly resolve the alleged ethics violation by Novanto to restore public confidence in the Parliament that has recently continued to decline," Romahurmuziy said in Jombang, East Java, on Thursday.
The PPP chairman noted that an open court hearing may offer an opportunity to the public to observe that the MKD can work professionally and independently.
According to Romahurmuziy, the PPP, in principle, will meet the public's expectations that this case does not "catch a cold." The MKD only handles the process to prosecute the alleged violators of the code of ethics.
"If certain parties were to question the legal basis, we fully laud it. The case at the same time should also serve as a lesson for us all to be more careful," he emphasized.
Speaking in connection with the pressure on Novanto to resign from his post as house speaker, Romahurmuziy clarified that if he is willing to go ahead with this decision, then the public will appreciate it.
"If Novanto is willing to resign, it will obviously be appreciated by the public, but it all depends on him whether he will do it," the PPP chairman remarked.
Novanto's case came to light when Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said had earlier reported him to the MKD with a transcript of conversation between the house speaker and chief executive of PT Freeport Indonesia during an unofficial meeting in which Novanto had sought a share in the US mining company in exchange to help the company renew its contract.
Novanto allegedly used the names of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla to convince Freeport that its contract would be extended.
PT Freeport Indonesia, an Indonesian unit of the US mining giant Freeport McMoran Copper & Gold having large copper and gold mines in Papua, is seeking renewal of its contract, which is still effective until 2021.
President Director of PT Freeport Indonesia Maroef Sjamsoeddin informed journalists in Tembagapura, Mimika, Papua, on Wednesday that he was ready to testify at the Parliament Honorary Council Tribunal to furnish details of his recent meetings and talks with Novanto and businessman Riza Chalid.
"For the people and the nation, I will be ready to give all facts as clearly as I can. My integrity and loyalty to the nation will never be tarnished," Maroef informed journalists in Tembagapura, Mimika, Papua, on Wednesday.
The retired three-star air force general said the present era is marked by openness and nothing could stay hidden, especially for the sake of a bigger national interest. (WDY)
