AG Prasetyo Agrees to Halt Legal Process on Election Candidates

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Attorney General M. Prasetyo expressed his support to the postponing legal process on governor candidates in Regional Head Election 2018 (Pilkada) who allegedly committed corruption. According to Prasetyo, the postponement will accelerate the election activity. “The delay will help [the election] a lot,” he said at his office, Jakarta, Friday, March 16.

Prasetyo explained, based on the regulation, a regional head candidate that had been determined to run in Pilkada could not be replaced. He argued, the ongoing legal process will disrupt the election practice. “If KPK announces the suspect or calls a summon, the suspect’s party will face a fine or get charges,” he said.

Read: KPK Braced to Announce Corruption Suspects of Election Candidates

He asserted the delay will not cleanse the crimes conducted by the regional head candidate. The legal process, he continued, can be examined after the election. “The legal process and the election activity can be simultaneously conducted,” Prasetyo added.

The statement was conveyed by Prasetyo after Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto asked KPK to halt the release of the regional head candidate name as the suspect. Wiranto stated the postponement was needed to make the election process in order.

Earlier, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Chairman Agus Rahardjo claimed several candidates who joined Pilkada were indicated to involve in a corruption case. Agus stated he would announce the names before the regional election takes place. He argued, the notice will be a consideration for people in choosing their regional head.

M ROSSENO AJI