A Step Down For Fahri Hamzah

The political drama starring the leadership of the Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) and its member Fahri Hamzah is light entertainment at a time when respect for the House of Representatives (DPR) is at a low as a result of the conduct of its members. This matter did not begin with bribery, scandal or a comparative study tour with attendant high costs.

Even though in 'minor league' of problems, the conduct of several DPR legislators has been far from honorable: napping, looking at obscene pictures on a cellphone screen during plenary sessions, or using impolite language. It is this last misdemeanor that led to Fahri Hamzah, known as a vocal speaker in Senayan, to being fired. The chairman of the PKS central executive board dismissed him from the party on April 1. He also lost his other positions in the party, including his seat as deputy DPR speaker.