TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo alias Jokowi said that corruption is an extraordinary crime and he will do anything to prevent the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) from being weakened. The President conveyed the message in the inauguration of Jombang-Mojokerto toll road on September 10 in East Java.

“I reiterate that I will not let the KPK be weakened. Therefore, we shall together protect the KPK,” Jokowi told reporters.

Read: Fahri Hamzah Urges Jokowi to Issue Perppu on KPK

The President made the statement following plans to weaken and even suspend the KPK amid the the inquiry over its performance by the House’s special committee. The special committee on KPK formed by the House of Representatives (DPR) has questioned the anti-graft agency management and law enforcement practices.

The President stressed that corruption is not an ordinary crime. Therefore, all parties need to play some role to eradicate it. “I want to warn ourselves that corruption is an extraordinary crime. It must, therefore, be eradicated and fought against,” he said.

Jokowi added that the KPK, as part of law enforcement agencies, must not be weakened. “As an institution that is highly trusted by the people, it must be strengthened to accelerate corruption eradication [efforts],” he said.

ISHOMUDDIN