Highly Honorable If Novanto Resigned

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Expert in  political culture  from the University of Indonesia (UI) Dr Yon Machmudi said tendering his resignation would be a honorable thing to do for Parliament Speaker Setya Novanto, who is facing  charge of gross violation of ethical code.

"Currently we are facing crisis of leadership. It is difficult to find a figure that could show a good example of leadership including in ethics. Therefore, it would be best for Novanto to plead guilty and resign as House speaker," Dr. Yon Machmudi said here on Tuesday.

Yon, a deputy director of the  Institute of Leadership Development  of the University of Indonesia (Ilead UI) said Novanto's resignation concerns the honor of a state institute.

Novanto's voluntary resignation would give hope to the public and would serve as a good political education that ethics are still respected in the country, he said.

"Admitting a mistake is gentlemanly attitude , showing the leadership quality of a man ," he added.

Novanto could then maintain the reputation of the Parliament, and investigation of the scandal of PT Freeport Indonesia could continue with focus expanded to possible involvement of other people.

He said the people would remembers Novanto's resignation as a 'positive' sacrifice to bring to surface bigger cases around Freeport.

"The Council Honorary Tribunal (MKD) certainly has no authority to handle legal cases, but it could at least give recommendations to those in authority to proceed with legal investigations and unveil the scandal," he said.

Investigations should not stop at Novanto ethical case, he said.

"It is also unethical if any groups of people seek to take advantage of the present condition. The national interest should come first  and interests of groups should be sacrificed," he said.

Setya Novanto, however, denied all charges against him before the MKD on Monday.

Novanto was charged with asking a share in PT Freeport Indonesia, in exchange of help to secure approval for the renewal of the company's contract.

PT Freeport Indonesia , which has large copper and gold mines in Papua is seeking extension of its contract which will expire in 2021.

Novanto allegedly used the name of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla to convince Freeport that he could help secure the approval.

The first and second sessions of MKD hearing testimonies from Sudirman Said and Ma'roef were open, broadcast live by television, but the third session to hear from the defendant was closed  triggering public indignation. (WDY)