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Gerindra slams KPK chief for criticizing new House speaker over alleged graft
Gerindra Party deputy chairman Edhy Prabowo has expressed disappointment over criticism by Abraham Samad, the chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), of Setya Novanto, the newly elected speaker of the House of Representatives for the 2014-2019 term
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G
erindra Party deputy chairman Edhy Prabowo has expressed disappointment over criticism by Abraham Samad, the chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), of Setya Novanto, the newly elected speaker of the House of Representatives for the 2014-2019 term.
He said that Samad, as a law enforcer, had no right to make the criticism, which, he said, was very political in nature.
Setya Nugraha comes from the Golkar Party, a member of the Red-and-White Coalition formed by Gerindra chairman and losing presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto. The lawmakers of the coalition now dominate the House, outvoting the lawmakers of the coalition led by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which won the legislative election in April.
Edhy said that Setya deserved to be elected as the House's speaker because he was a clean politician. Therefore, he demanded that Samad stop criticizing Setya.
'Please don't mix legal issues with politics. The KPK has no right to play politics. It would be much better if the KPK focused on eradicating corruption only,' he said on Thursday evening as quoted by kompas.com.
Abraham previously said that the KPK was very disappointed by the decision to elect Setya to 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 this turns out to be the case, the image of the House as the most-respected institution could be tarnished," Abraham said on 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, as he is not 'untouchable' by the law. Everyone is equal before the law," Abraham added.
Setya's status is currently a witness, although he has been questioned several times by the anti-graft body in a number of graft cases, including that related to projects at the venue of the National Games in Riau.
Setya has also been dragged into the bribery case involving former Constitutional Court chief justice Akil Mochtar, who has been sentenced to life in prison for accepting bribes from a number of regional heads. (alz)
