TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A number of public figures and academics gathered at the State Palace on September 26, reportedly offered alternative options to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in regards to the regulation in lieu of law (perpu) of the corruption eradication commission (KPK Law).

The president’s response was somewhat on the wary side of things as he is afraid the Perpu would be rejected by the House of Representatives (DPR). Throughout Jokowi’s political career, he has never sat in parliament nor does he have a political party.

“I don’t have a party faction within the DPR,” recalled the president to Tempo Magazine’s latest issue of October 7 - October 13.

Responding to his worries, the public figures joked about being ready to be the tenth faction outside of the nine that comprises DPR’s legislators. “We aspire to support the President,” said Mochtar Pabottingi, former researcher of Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) who was present in the meeting.

Four days after the meeting, Jokowi met political party leaders at the Bogor Presidential Palace, where he was met with suggestions to postpone issuing the Perpu.

Constitutional law expert Bivitri Susanti argues that Jokowi is starting to show signs of hesitation to issue the Perpu following the meeting with political party leaders. Mochtar Pabottingi, called for President Jokowi to not back down in issuing the Perpu.

DEWI NURITA