New KPK leaders prove House independency; deputy speaker

Commenting on the new Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) leadership, House deputy speaker Priyo Budi Santoso said that the selection was proof of the House’s independence.

“We did not receive orders from anyone, including the state palace. We worked based upon what we believe in,” Priyo said on Saturday as quoted by kompas.com.

The statement was in response to protests from anti-graft activists and some members of the KPK leadership selection committee who accused the House of ignoring the list of top candidates set by the selection committee.

The selection committee had earlier recommended four top candidates: Bambang Widjojanto, Yunus Husein, Abdullah Hehamahua and Handoyo Sudrajat. The House, however, rejected these nominees and instead chose Bambang and three other people with lower ranks,Adnan Pandu Praja, Zulkarnaen and Abraham Samad.