Setya Novanto Remains House Speaker despite Graft Allegation
18 July 2017 21:44 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Setya Novanto will continue to serve as the House of Representatives speaker despite being named as a suspect in the electronic ID card (e-KTP) graft case.
“I have served my role as a leader for the country. As a human I was shocked with the allegation,” Setya Novanto said during a press conference at the Senayan Parliamentary Complex on Tuesday, July 18.
House head of expertise division Johnson Rajagukguk, who accompanied Setya during the press conference, explained that Setya Novanto will remain a House Speaker until the court issued its verdict.
Read: Setya Novanto Named Suspect Former KPK Deputy Warns of Aftermath
Under the Law No. 17/2014 on legislative institutions (MD3), a House speaker can be relieved from his post because of death, resignation, or termination.
“As long as parties or factions propose no changes in the leadership, then Setya will remain the House speaker,” Johnson explained.
During the press conference, Setya also denied the allegation saying that he received funds taken from the e-KTP project budget.
Earlier on Monday, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named Setya Novanto as a suspect in the e-KTP graft case. KPK spokesperson Febri Diansyah said that the suspect naming was based on the preliminary evidence presented at the court during the trials of other two suspects, Irman and Sugiharto.
Setya Novanto allegedly enriched himself, others and corporations in relation to the e-KTP project, causing Rp2.1 trillion in state losses.
BIANCA ADRIENNAWATI | S. DIAN ANDRYANTO