Setya Novanto Resists KPK Through the Constitutional Court

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Setya Novanto once again took legal steps towards his affairs with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

The suspect of the electronic ID card or e-KTP graft case that made national headlines in Indonesia submitted a judicial review of Article 46 regarding the Corruption Eradication Commission Law on Suspect Inspection Mechanism.

“The article is against Constitution Article 20 A of the 1945 Law on the impunity of a DPR member,” said Setya Novanto’s lawyer Federich Yunadi at the Constitutional Court on Monday, November 13.

Previous to Setya’s suspect naming on September 29, KP had also named Setya Novanto as a suspect on July 17, before his status was revoked by Judge Cepi Iskandar of the South Jakarta District Court on September 29.

Setya’s team of lawyers stated that KPK must obtain the President’s permission before questioning Setya Novanto. They reasoned that it is based on the verdict of Constitutional Court article 245 on September 2015. In the verdict, the Constitutional Court ordered authorities to submit a written permission from the president before summoning a DPR member.

“We will request protection from the president, police, and military if [Setya Novanto] is an involuntary summoning of Setya,” said Fedrich.

Setya Novanto did not appear for another KPK summoning on November 13, as a witness for the E-KTP court trial. KPK Deputy Chairman Muhammad Syarif claims that KPK has yet to decide whether they would involuntary summon Setya Novanto. Although, KPK has already summoned Setya to be questioned as a suspect that is scheduled for Wednesday, November 15.

One of KPK leaders, Saut Situmorang said that the institution is prepared to face any legal step taken by Setya Novanto. As previous cases suggest, KPK stated that they will not ask the permission of the President in order to question Setya Novanto.

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