LIPI Shares Reasons Why Jokowi Should Issue New KPK Bill

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) senior researcher Syamsuddin Haris suggested President Joko Widodo or Jokowi to issue a government regulation in lieu of law or Perpu on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). He opined that the new legislation issuance should take place before the formation of the second government cabinet.

"So that the President has a superior bargaining position against political parties," Syamsuddin said in Jakarta, Thursday, October 3.

The Perpu issuance after the cabinet is formed, he added, could have weakened the President's bargaining power against political parties in supporting his programs related to the polemic resolution on KPK Law.

Syamsuddin went on to say that a new bill is necessary to restore the power of the anti-graft body in combating corruption. He considered the recent revisions of the law, especially its controversial articles, as an attempt to clip the KPK’s wings.

He believed that several points, including the supervisory board and wiretapping permits when prosecuting corruption cases, are one form of the weakening of KPK.

"We cannot imagine if the KPK is getting weaker and has no authority to take action. We need the KPK that can take stern actions as well as strong prevention [against corruption]," Syamsuddin concluded.

ANTARA