TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) was asked to continue investigating the alleged corruption case involving the regional head elections (Pilkada) candidates in 2018. It is done to ensure the principle of equality before the law.

“In order to keep the KPK on the main task and function in implementing the principles of equality before the law," said coordinator of the Investigation Center for Budget Analysis Jajang Nurjaman in a written statement, Tuesday, March 13.

Referring to Article 27 (1) of 1945 Constitution Amendment, Jajang said everyone is equal before the law. Therefore, he said, the candidates which proven to commit the acts of corruption must be accountable for their actions.

Read: KPK Probes Alleged Graft Case Similar to E-KTP Case

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menkopolhukam) Wiranto previously asked KPK to delay the investigation because he viewed that it will affect the candidacy in the upcoming election.

Jajang considered Wiranto's statement as an intervention that weakened the KPK's move. “It's as if the KPK's spirit in combating all forms of corruption is not supported by the central government," he said.

According to Jajang, the government should be concerned to see the fact that many candidates for the regional head who dare to do corruption acts to win the political contest in elections. "Such people should be given the most severe sanctions; legally and morally, rather than being defended," he said.

KPK Chairman Agus Rahardjo said his agency will announce a number of candidates for regional heads who names as corruption suspects.

CAESAR AKBAR