Jakarta – Deputy Speaker Fahri Hamzah has come under fire for urging the Ethics Committee at the House of Representatives to keep quiet about a probe against two of his fellow House leaders over their controversial work visit to the United States.

The Committee confirmed on Wednesday that Fahri, a prominent member of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), had sent a letter calling on committee members not to disclose the progress of the probe against House Speaker Setya Novanto, of the Golkar Party, and Deputy Speaker Fadli Zon, of the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party.

Setya and Fadli are being probed for a possible ethical violation for appearing at a press conference organized by US presidential hopeful Donald Trump at the Trump Tower in New York on Sep. 3.

Ethics Committee member Syarifuddin Sudding said Fahri had overstepped his authority by sending the letter, which he called "an intervention" of the probe process.

"House leaders have no authority to ask such things to the Ethics Committee. House leaders are not the Ethics Committee's superior. So [House leaders] have no right to tell [the Committee] what to do," the People's Conscience Party (Hanura) lawmaker said.

Another House deputy speaker Agus Hermanto said he was unaware that Fahri had sent such letter, adding that Fahri was not acting on behalf of all five House leaders.

"That letter is not our decision," the Democratic Party politician said. "Later when [Fahri] returns we will clarify. It would be even better if Fahri himself speak publicly on the matter."

Fahri, Setya and Fadli and their spouses are visiting Saudi Arabia this week, a trip they claim to be financed completely by the Saudi government.

Agus called Fahri's letter inappropriate saying that the Ethics Committee must be free from any intervention and treat every lawmaker as equal.

Political researcher Lucius Karus of the Concerned Citizens for the Indonesian Legislature (Formappi) said Fahri should also face a probe of his own for sending the letter. "What Fahri did was truly unethical, abusing his authority as a House leader to influence the Ethics Committee," he said.

"Fahri has attempted to destroy the transparency and independence of the Ethic Committee probe process. The Ethics Committee must prove that they are free from intervention by seriously investigating these cases. What is at stake is not only the credibility of the Ethics Committee but the House of Representatives as a whole."

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/house-deputy-fahri-hot-water-interfering-trump-fiasco-probe/