SBY says he will respect legal process in Gayus case

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Monday he was well aware of the border between respecting the legal process and interfering to take direct action for a good cause.

Yudhoyono made the statement before a limited Cabinet meeting at his office that was organized to discuss to the graft case of Gayus Tambunan following mounting public criticism at his reluctance to do so.

“I will make instructions for legal officers under my leadership and coordination because many things are beyond my authority and responsibility, even though as a head of state I want all to collaborate for the success of corruption eradication in this country,” he said.

“At the Cabinet meeting, I will ask relevant officials to report and explain all the legal actions that are being implemented, what has and has not been achieved and the problems and how to deal with them,” he said.

Yudhoyono said he would not interfere in the legal process, but as a head of state he would be involved in the handling of the case to ensure that all law enforcers under his subordinates were working well and effectively.

The Gayus case required serious attention because it involved numerous legal violations including judicial crimes, tax corruption and immigration offenses, he said.