Page 55 - BUKU STRENGTHENING THE INDONESIAN PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY FADLI ZON

The House of Representatives that represent the people of Indonesia has been taken actions
to eradicate corruption in accordance with its power. In executing its legislative function,
the House of Representatives supports the discussion around Bill of corruption eradication
through the adoption of UNCAC, such as evidenced by the amendment of Law No. 31 of 1999
on the Eradication of the Crime of Corruption, amended by Law No. 20 of 2001, which had
been passed before Indonesia ratified UNCAC. Even though some articles in the Law have been
aligned with UNCAC, there were also a number of UNCAC stipulations that the Law had not
accommodated with respect to Corruption Eradication, such as stipulation on asset recovery.
The House of Representatives has sought to improve the legal basis of corruption eradication
in Indonesia and to ensure its effective implementation.

The role of the House of Representatives in corruption eradication also goes beyond our
legislative responsibility. The House of Representatives is also leading moral efforts to
prevent corruption in the parliamentary environment. On December 12th, 2012, the House of
Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia declared the establishment of Global Organization
of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC). GOPAC, or the Anti-Corruption Taskforce, is
a forum for the parliamentarians of the Republic of Indonesia who have concerns, competence,
capacity, and knowledge on aspects relating to anti-corruption. The Taskforce is also the channel
for dialogue and communications with parliamentarians in other countries to align corruption
prevention efforts at the global level. Through GOPAC Indonesia, members of the House of
Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia are expected to give significant contribution to the
fight against corruption – especially amidst public distrust towards a parliamentary institution.

There were around 30 members from the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia
of 2009-2014 period, composed of members from different factions and commissions, in
GOPAC. The members come from the Structure of the House of Representatives, such as the
Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (BKSAP), Commission I, Commission III, and
Ethics Committee. We hope to see more members of the House of Representatives of 2014-2019
period in GOPAC. The Taskforce certainly needs to be broadened so that parliamentarians can
provide meaningful contribution in the fight against corruption. Despite the negative image
due to allegations of corruption within the House of Representatives, we are determined to
show that we have parliamentarians that strive to maintain their integrity and commitment
to anti-corruption issues. The Taskforce is expected to increase the effectiveness and political
function of the House of Representatives in efforts to prevent the crime of corruption.

GOPAC stands behind measures of corruption eradication executed by law enforcement
agencies. This commitment should be shared by all all members of the House of Representatives
of the Republic of Indonesia. Not all of these members are free from corruption. Corruption is
an act executed not by one person or a single party, but always involves three parties – from
policy makers, namely the government, business players, and the House of Representatives
that grants approval. A parliamentarian who speaks about anti-corruption will have some kind
of resistance against corruption.

42 I Selected Speeches of the Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia