TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The acting chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Taufiequrachman Ruki, said there was nothing the anti-graft watchdog could do the prevent the planned revision to the KPK Law. Ruki, however, called on the government and the House of Representatives to formulate draft revision that would not clip the KPK’s wings.
“If that [the revision] has become a political decision, then the next thing to do is make draft revision to the KPK Law that will not undermine the KPK,” Ruki told Tempo via short message on Wednesday, June 24, 2015.
Ruki said the government and the parliament could make such a draft by carefully examining the clauses in the draft revision in the spirit of anti-corruption. “Every concept aimed at undermining or reducing [the KPK] authority should be nixed,” Ruki said.
On June 23, 2015, the House officially included the revision to the KPK Law into the 2015 National Legislation Program despite rejection from President Jokowi. Many have viewed the move will weaken the KPK.
Among the clauses in the revision is that the KPK can only bug individuals who is in the middle of legal processing, whereas thus far most of the arrests by the KPK have been made on the results of wiretapping of those who seem to be untouchable by the law.
Another clause in the revision mentions that the KPK must coordinate with the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) to press charges against alleged corruptors.
MUHAMAD RIZKI
