TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan opined President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo cannot necessarily issue a regulation in lieu of law or Perpu on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). He said the executive body cannot intervene by releasing Perpu since the law has been processed by the judicative body.

“[The president] cannot issue Perpu because it has been handled by the judicative body and the judicial review is on the process,” said Luhut in South Jakarta, Wednesday, October 2.

Luhut said the amended KPK Law ratified by the House of Representatives (DPR) has been legally challenged to Constitutional Court by 18 university students on September 30. Zico Leonard Djagardo Simanjuntak plays a role as the students’ advocate.

In terms of statehood, Luhut considers that the President is not allowed to intervene in the process.

The ratification of KPK Law sparked public controversy. The civil coalitions deemed the law as an attempt to clip the anti-graft body’s wings. A series of demonstrations were staged against the weakening of KPK.

After a meeting with figures, the President said he mulled over their suggestions to release Perpu KPK. However, the pro-government parties rejected the input.

The House’s member who is also the secretary of PDIP faction Bambang Wuryanto said the President has no respect for the House should he issue new legislation to revoke the KPK Law.

PDIP secretary-general Hasto Kritiyanto also said that Jokowi should not hurriedly pass Perpu KPK, and so the law must be implemented first before being evaluated. The KPK Law can be amended if it produces an adverse impact.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA | BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI