With the political rumor mill in full swing over an impending cabinet reshuffle and a senior conservative lawmaker photographed watching pornography during a plenary session, the behavior of legislators is once again in the spotlight.
Arifinto, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) legislator at the center of the storm, has tendered his resignation from the House of Representatives and been forced to quit from the party's Syura [advisory] Council in the hope that this will deflect public criticism.
Speaking at a press conference at the House on Monday, Arifinto said he was stepping down to protect the good name of the party. In all honesty, this is the absolute minimum he should have done given his outrageous behavior. The PKS has always promoted its clean-cut image to urban voters. Today that image is in tatters.
Indeed the image of all legislators has taken a beating in recent months. The Indonesian public has had to witness one scandal after another, and the stubborn way in which legislators have pushed ahead with plans for a controversial new office tower has not helped their cause.
Amid the growing criticism, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono apparently plans to reshuffle his cabinet, citing unhappiness with the performance of some of his ministers. It would be an opportune time for him to do so and inject some new blood and fresh ideas into the government.
The criteria for selecting cabinet members and legislators is the same. We need individuals who are competent, hard working, have a strong moral compass and will serve with dignity. We need individuals who will put the interests of the people and the country above their own.
The public has a right to demand the highest standards of behavior and performance from these individuals. Sadly, many of them have let down the people who put their trust and faith in them.
This trust can be rebuilt, but it will take time and enormous effort. The issue at hand is the credibility, performance and moral character of our political leaders. Can they rise up to the standards expected of them?