Etika Wakil Rakyat dan Respon Publik

Government representatives are members of legislative institutions elected by the people to represent their interests and aspirations in the policy-making and decision-making processes of government. People's representatives have a moral and ethical responsibility in carrying out their duties as representatives of the public's interests. The early history of the formation of people's representatives dates back to the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence (PPKI), which also appointed the first president and vice president in Indonesia. People's representatives are a key pillar in the democratic system, serving as a channel for the people's aspirations. In carrying out their duties, they are required to uphold ethical values, integrity, and morality. However, various cases of ethical violations involving members of the House of Representatives (DPR) have triggered an increasingly critical public response, especially in the digital era that enables information transparency. This study aims to analyze how ethical violations by people's representatives affect public perception and how social media strengthens the public's critical power. This research method is qualitative-descriptive with a case study approach. The results show that public response to ethical violations has increased sharply through digital platforms, which has a direct impact on public trust and the legitimacy of legislative institutions. Social media has become a primary medium for expressing disappointment and moral pressure on people's representatives. In addition, social media has also changed the way organizations and individuals interact. The speed of information dissemination magnifies the social impact of every action by members of the House of Representatives. Ethics reform and a stricter oversight system are needed to maintain the integrity of representatives. This research concludes that the ethics of representatives are crucial for maintaining public trust. It is crucial for representatives to uphold a code of ethics to ensure integrity, which will lead to a positive public response and trust in the government.