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Dems join Gerindra in opposing KPK law amendment
All smiles: Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (second right) talks to President Joko âJokowiâ Widodo (second left) during the opening of the Democratic Partyâs fourth congress in Surabaya, East Java, in May, 2015, while Yudhoyonoâs wife Ani Yudhoyono (right) and former vice president Boediono (left) look on
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span class="inline inline-center">All smiles: Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (second right) talks to President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo (second left) during the opening of the Democratic Party's fourth congress in Surabaya, East Java, in May, 2015, while Yudhoyono's wife Ani Yudhoyono (right) and former vice president Boediono (left) look on. (Antara/Zabur Karuru)
The Democratic Party (PD) has joined Gerindra in opposition to amending the Corruption Eradication (KPK) Law, which has been proposed by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and supported by all other members of the ruling coalition.
PD chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has reportedly instructed all lawmakers from the party to oppose amending the KPK Law, although in previous meetings in the House of Representatives' legislation body (Baleg), PD representatives had expressed their agreement to the revision.
"Bapak [Yudhoyono] has said it is not timely to revise the law. It is too sensitive. In fact, corruption cases are still rampant. Therefore, Bapak instructed me as a Baleg member to oppose the revision," said Ruhut Sitompul, a PD lawmaker, on Thursday as quoted by kompas.com.
Ruhut, who said Yudhoyono's instruction was made on Wednesday, would explain the party's stance during the House's plenary session on Thursday. "I will fight in the plenary session, it is up to the people to decide," Ruhut added.
Among the controversial new articles that will be included in the amendment are the formation of a KPK supervisory body, limits placed on the power to wiretap by KPK investigators and allowing the KPK to stop investigations if they do not have adequate evidence.
Anticorruption activists have expressed concern that amending the KPK Law will only weaken the anti-corruption body.
Gerindra has long voiced its opposition to amending the law. "We, the Gerindra faction, have voiced our opinion that the moves to amend the KPK Law should stop immediately," said Baleg member Aryo Djojohadikusumo from Gerindra on Wednesday.
All the points of amendment would undermine the KPK, said Aryo at a meeting of the legislation body.
The PD has since the elections in 2014 stressed its position as "a balancing party". Meanwhile Gerindra currently stands alone with the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) as opposition parties after members of the Red and While Coalition (KMP) have steadily defected from that coalition to join the ruling coalition. (bbn) (+)
