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Setya's status as House speaker grants no immunity, says KPK chairman
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman Abraham Samad said Thursday that the new status of Setya Novanto as speaker of the House of Representatives would not grant him immunity in the KPK's ongoing investigation into a number of graft cases allegedly implicating the Golkar Party lawmaker
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orruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman AbrahamSamad said Thursday that the new status of Setya Novanto as speaker of the Houseof Representatives would not grant him immunity in the KPK's ongoinginvestigation into a number of graft cases allegedly implicating the GolkarParty lawmaker.
Abraham said that the KPK was very disappointed with the decision to elect Setya on Thursday for the top House job as he claimed the politician was potentially involved in graft cases being handled by the anti-graft body.
"The KPK is concerned and deplores the election of Setya Novanto as the House speaker because he will potentially be involved in a legal case [in the future]. If it happens to be true, the image of the House as the most respected institution could be tarnished," Abraham said Thursday night.
"Setya's status as House speaker will not deter the KPK from continuing its investigation. There is no immunity for the House speaker, is not 'untouchable' by the law. Everyone is equal before the law," Abraham added.
As the KPK had no authority to reject the election of the new House speaker, Samad added, the KPK had to respect the House decision.
Setya's status as of today is still a witness, although he has been questioned several times by the anti-graft body in a number of graft cases, including that related to the Riau National Games (PON).
Meanwhile, Setya has also been dragged into the bribery case of former Constitutional Court chief justice Akil Mochtar, who has been sentenced to life in prison for receiving bribes from a number of regional heads.
