IO, Jakarta – The revised KPK Law has been passed by Parliament. However, it is considered problematic by many. They consider its substance weakens the corruption eradication work by the KPK. Waves of demonstrations have sprung up in many cities, from students and anti-corruption activists to academics.
Anti-corruption activists staged an action in front of the KPK Building. When the KPK Law was passed by parliament, they held a theatrical action to “bury” the KPK. There was insistence of students and the public on the President to issue a Government Regulation in place of Law (Perppu) to replace the revision of Law No. 30/2002 on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) continues to roll.
Responding to the public’s insistence, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Aziz Syamsuddin said that he had submitted the decision to issue the Perppu on the KPK Law to President Joko Widodo. “The authority lies with the President…,” Aziz said at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday (07/10) / 2019).
According to Aziz, the requirement to issue a Perppu is regulated in the Constitution, namely if there is a state emergency or a legal vacuum. At present, there is no urgency and legal vacuum as a condition for issuing a KPK Perppu. The issuance of the Perppu must refer to the conditions stipulated in the constitution. “If the President continues to issue a Perppu on the KPK Law, it is hoped that it will not interfere with the government’s relationship with political parties in the Parliament,” he added.
Furthermore, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament said that the Parliament is currently focusing on preparing for the inauguration of the President and Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia on 20 October 2019, rather than immediately discussing the Perppu on the KPK Law. “As directed by the Speaker of Parliament, Mrs. Puan, soon we will have a technical meeting with the State Secretariat…,” said the Golkar Party politician.
Meanwhile, Golkar Party Deputy Coordinator Bambang Soesatyo (Bamsoet) was reluctant to state his party’s position regarding a KPK Perppu. However, Bamsoet believes Jokowi has a certain calculation about the planned issuance of the KPK Perppu. “If you ask Golkar’s stance, ask the General Chairman…,” Bamsoet said in the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta.
As the newly-elected Chair of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), Bamsoet let Jokowi decide on the issue of the KPK Perppu. According to him, only Jokowi knows whether the KPK Perppu should be issued or not in the current situation. “In my opinion, the one who can answer that is the President,” he said. Furthermore, Bamsoet said that the rumor that Jokowi would be confronted by his supporting political parties should he issue a Perppu was an opinion only. He asked the public to wait for Jokowi’s decision.
Acting Minister of Law and Human Rights (Acting Menkumham) Tjahjo Kumolo said Jokowi had not planned to issue a Perppu on the KPK Law. Tjahjo was also reluctant to guess Jokowi’s decision. “Until now there has not been a decision. As a presidential aide, I am ready to carry out what will become the decision of the President,” said Tjahjo at the Kemenkumham Office, Jakarta, Monday (07/10/2019). (Dan)