TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Betti Alisjahbana, spokesperson of the selection team for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), expressed her concern over the House of Representative’s plan to revise the KPK law.

According to Betti, in a press release on Thursday, October 8, the revision would be a backward step for the corruption eradication efforts and weaken the anti-graft commission.

“We need a strong KPK to execute its functions related to coordination and supervision on government institutions,” Betti said.

Betti also deplored the House plan to limit KPK’s work period for 12 years, since the institution had shown excellent performance since it was established 12 years ago. She also called on the House to conduct fit and proper test for eight names of KPK chief candidates, instead of mulling the KPK law draft revision.

“Therefore, new KPK leaders can be inaugurated by December 16, 2015,” Betti added.

Earlier, the House of Representatives held a meeting in a bid to include the KPK law draft revision in the national legislation program for 2015. The draft contains Article 5 stating that the KPK’s work period will be limited to 12 years since the promulgation of the law.

In addition, the bill draft will also limit corruption cases to be handled by the KPK and its authority to conduct phone tapping.

FAIZ NASHRILLAH‎