Majority of Factions Oppose to Right of Inquiry into e-KTP Case
17 March 2017 08:56 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The majority of the factions in the House of Representatives (DPR) have expressed their opposition to proposed right of inquiry into the electronic identity card or e-KTP graft case investigated by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The People’s Consciousness Party (Hanura) Party faction secretary Dadang Rusdiana said that the proposed right of inquiry had made the public suspicious of alleged DPR’s attempt to protect political elites. “It must be avoided,” he said via text message on Thursday, March 16, 2017.
The right of inquiry was proposed by the DPR deputy speakers Fahri Hamzah and Fadli Zon following the reading of indictment against the defendants of e-KTP graft case at the Corruption Court on Thursday last week.
The trial reveals alleged embezzlement of around Rp198 billion in the e-KTP project involving dozens of current DRP members and former DPR members for the 2009-2014 term from all factions. The amount does not include the amount embezzled by faction leaderships.
The National Mandate Party (PAN) deputy chairman Hanafi Rias believes that the KPK has a strong legal basis for the investigation into the e-KTP project. According to him, the proposed right of inquiry is way too early. Hanafi said the DPR’s Legal Commission should instead hold a meeting with and question the KPK over the case.
The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) consultative council deputy chairman Hidayat Nurwahid said that the right of inquiry is not needed. “I prefer law enforcement and the DPR must also support it,” he said.
The National Awakening Party (PKB) Maman Imanulhaq said that the party has yet to decide on whether to agree to propose the right of inquiry. However, he said that the proposed right of inquiry does not reflect well on the DPR. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) agreed that an inquiry would hamper the trial.
DPR deputy speaker Fadli Zon said that the right of inquiry into the e-KTP case is a mere discourse. He said that he has yet to see any support for the proposal. The deputy speaker, however, said that many would eventually show their support. “We’ll see next week,” he said.
The KPK chief Agus Rahadjo expects that no one would defend graft suspects. “Why would you defend graft suspects? It’s not right,” he said on Wednesday.
HUSSEIN ABRI | MAYA AYU PUSPITASARI
