SETYA Novanto is a fine example of the irony of democracy. The Golkar party chairman climbed the political ladder to the top through constitutional procedures including general and party elections. Albeit dogged by myriad scandals, he managed to hold on to his public position.

Elected from his constituency in East Nusa Tenggara--far away from his base in Jakarta--Setya Novanto has been a lawmaker for four decades. But scandals have trailed hi