Agus Condro’s removal, the price that has to pay for a 'lobby'

Finally, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) remove Agus 'whistle-blower' Condro from the House of Representatives.

Recently Agus Condro confessed to the Corruption Eradication Commission that he has received Rp 500 million (US$54,500) soon after the election of Miranda Gultom as Bank Indonesia senior deputy governor. In his confession, he said that few days before vote, there was a meetings of several politicians from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) in Dharmawangsa Hotel. Agus who was a member of the party said that the meeting held by Panda Nababan was also attended by Miranda Goeltom, who is now BI senior deputy governor.

Agus had said in his confession that he was not the only legislators who has receive money for voting for Miranda. He mention that his fellow from House Commission IX, which oversees financial affairs, and some PDI-P members also received the money. But, names mentioned by Agus all denied the allegation.
He said they were accept the same amount by PDI-P member Dudhie Makmun Murod at the office of Commission IX chief Emir Moeis, also of the PDI-P members. Caused of his confession evoked suspicion that in the election process to appoint of Miranda Goeltom may contained bribery.

However, his confession enraged party elites and others senior legislators of PDI-P. At last, Agus Condro was removed from the House of Representatives by his party. Not enough, PDI-P has also removed Agus Condro from its list of candidates for next year’s legislative election.

Apparently the dismissal that only apply to Agus Condro was untactful decision to PDI-P. It was done without preceding detailed internal investigation and it also not put into account the possibility to suspend the other legislator that has mentioned by Agus Condro on his confession. The reason that stated by PDI-P Secretary General Pramono Anung -he claimed that the decision was made because Agus has disgrace the party's image by his behaviour- sounds very ridiculous. This case has proven that PDI-P is very pathetic and has no serious commitment in cleaning up the seemingly pervasive corruption in all level rank in the party.

Surely, by this case, PDI-P was in the doghouse. It could limit the chance of Megawati Soekarnoputri to the next presidential race.

So, who has a finger in the pie then ?.