Setya Novanto excuses himself after testifying as a witness in a corruption trial on the procurement of electronic identification (e-KTP) cards at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday (6/4/2017). Two suspects, Irman and Sugiharto, are standing trial in the case. The court hearing on April 6 heard witness testimonies, including those of Setya and former Democratic Party faction leader at the House of Representatives, Anas Urbaningrum, and former House speaker Ade Komarudin.
The House of Representatives (DPR) has asked President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to cancel the order prohibiting House Speaker Setya Novanto from going overseas. The prohibition is considered to have tarnished the House.
The results of a meeting held by the House Consultative Council was disclosed by House Deputy Speaker Fahri Hamzah and quoted in this newspaper on April 12, 2017. An investigator of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has prohibited Novanto, who is also the general chairman of the Golkar Party, from traveling overseas for a period of six months. The reason was explained by KPK deputy chairman Alexander Marwata: "The prohibition was imposed because of the close connection between Novanto and Andi Narogong. Novanto\'s statement will be much needed."
Novanto himself has testified at the Corruption Eradication Court. The name of Novanto and a number of House members were mentioned in the indictment against defendant Irman and Sugiharto in connection with the alleged embezzlement involving the budget of the electronic identity (e-ID) card project.
The House request to President Jokowi to cancel Novanto\'s travel ban seems superfluous. Politically, it is legitimate for the House to send a letter to President Jokowi to cancel the ban, but ethically the move raises questions. If he is not satisfied with the ban against him, Novanto himself can challenge its legality.
That the ban on Novanto will hinder the work of the House, no one disputes. The House speaker is a spokesman of the House who represents the House by interacting with other state institutions. He should not be a person who is ethically and legally problematic. The travel ban imposed on Novanto by the KPK does disturb the House if Novanto also insists on remaining House speaker.
This country has the People\'s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Decree No. 6/2001 on the ethical life of the nation. The MPR decree is intended to guide state officials and the public about ethics. Indeed, there are no rules that regulate how the status of the House speaker is effected by a travel ban, but the principle of propriety and ethics could be a guide. People who are prohibited from traveling abroad may not necessarily be suspects. Those who are named suspects may not be guilty. That is the logic of the law. However, from an ethical standpoint, the way to respond can be different.
Former youth and sports minister Andi Alifian Mallarangeng was banned from traveling overseas before being named a suspect. Andi immediately took a step back. "The status of being prohibited from going overseas has been enough for me to take a stand," said Andi, who announced his resignation as minister. "I do not want to be a burden for Bapak President," said Andi. The public is waiting to see how Novanto responds to the legal case that shackles him.
