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Muhammadiyah universities say no to KPK criminalization
Muhammadiyah universities across Indonesia and other elements of the countryâs second largest Muslim organization have protested against any form of criminalization of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)
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uhammadiyah universities across Indonesia and other elements of the country's second largest Muslim organization have protested against any form of criminalization of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
The protest was expressed Monday during a rally held on the Yogyakarta Muhammadiyah University (UMY) campus, with rectors and lecturers of Muhammadiyah universities as well as leaders and activists of the organization participating.
A former chairman of Muhammadiyah, Ahmad Syafi'i Maarif, said Indonesia had long been held hostage by corrupt practices and that now there were systematic efforts to paralyze the KPK.
'This should never happen, otherwise the nation would be digging its own grave,' he said at the rally.
He said Muhammadiyah had to be on the front line in the fight against corruption.
Syafii, who has been appointed a member of a planned independent team set up by President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo to settle the KPK'police feud, said the arrest of KPK deputy chairman Bambang Widjojanto could not be justified.
He said the conflict between the KPK and the police had to be ended as soon as possible and therefore the independent team set up by Jokowi had to start working soon.
'I am willing to be appointed a member of the team because I want to defend the truth. If the team is directed to defend the interests of a particular institution or individual, I will say no,' Syafi'i said.
He also expressed support for a suggestion to protect state officials tasked with corruption eradication against criminalization efforts by giving them impunity until the end of their terms.
Meanwhile, Siti Noorjanah Djohantini, the chairwoman of Aisyiyah, Muhammadiyah's women's organization, expressed concern over attempts by individuals and institutions to obstruct corruption eradication efforts by the KPK.
'We and other women in Indonesia are against the criminalization of the KPK. We have to unite to save Indonesia by saving the KPK,' Siti said.
UMY rector Bambang Cipto said that Muhammadiyah universities supported the KPK because corruption eradication was in line with Muhammadiyah's ideals.
'We are concerned. Rivalry among law enforcement institutions will only benefit embezzlers,' he said as a representative of Muhammadiyah universities nationwide.
