Oct
strong>Oct. 3, Online
President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo has said that he will consider instructing prosecutors to stop investigating Bambang Widjojanto, the suspended commissioner of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) who was accused of demanding a witness to falsify testimony in a regional election dispute case in 2010 in Central Kalimantan.
'I will seriously consider it,' said Jokowi in Sukoharjo, Central Java, on Saturday in response to calls from a number of legal scholars to stop the investigation into Bambang. The scholars said there were no strong grounds to continue the case. The National Police handed Bambang's case dossier to the Attorney General's Office (AGO) last month. Attorney General M. Prasetyo said on Friday that his office (AGO) would continue prosecuting Bambang for perjury. Prasetyo said that the AGO could not simply drop Bambang's case.
Tempo.co reported that dozens of scholars from various disciplines concluded that the police had no adequate evidence to continue with Bambang's case. The scholars also said that the police had violated existing regulations both when they listed Bambang as a suspect and when they carried out the investigation.
Your comments
'I will seriously consider it' is as dubious as when he was considering commuting the death sentences of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.
Brucelee
I am not sure Jokowi actually understands the concept of 'seriously considering'.
lisebuckeridge
The President intervening in a dubious prosecution is just the other side of the same coin that is Indonesian's legal swamp.
LB
This is the same as smiling in a guys face while you're figuring out how to cheat him.
Charlesjarret
Of course he had to say he would consider it, because it is impolite to say no in Javanese culture.
BB
It wouldn't be very smart of Jokowi to get mixed up in this. Soon everyone under investigation will ask him to intervene, which is illegal and he would swiftly be impeached. A private phone call to the AGO might be a good idea, but only to express his opinion.
Orang Biasa
I don't think Jokowi intervening would be illegal. The police and AGO are part of the executive branch, not judicial. He cannot stop or influence the judges. But supervision of and orders to police and AGO are a different story; it can and must be done by the executive branch.
Kantisini
If it was legal, what would be the point of law enforcement in the first place?
OB
It's too late for Jokowi to stop the case. He should encourage the prosecutors to bring the case to court.
Laelatul
Shouldn't the headline read: 'Jokowi to consider doing the right thing, at last'?
Themis
The President had his opportunity when this whole thing began. It's the corrupt police that caused this mess, yet continue to get promoted and continue with their crimes. Allowing the police to constantly break the law, only to reward them, is equal to a presidential decree that gives police the power to threaten the fragile democracy of the country.
Budi Gunawan and Budi Waseso have yet to submit wealth reports, a move that is indicative of not only breaking the law but shows a complete disregard for the Constitution, laws and President.
Willo
The President cannot order an investigative body to stop a prosecution. It is not legal. If he could, then why is that guy still detained for catching a police officer accepting a bribe?
Happening
As far as I know, he can. It doesn't look good, but the AGO and police are under the executive branch. He cannot stop judges, but police and the AGO, yes.
KS
Do the right thing Pak President. The people who voted for you wanted to see you create a just and fair society for all Indonesians irrespective of social standing ' an equal society and an even playing field.
Siang Malam
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