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KPK demands immunity and elimination of ad hoc status
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has demanded the elimination of its ad hoc status so that it becomes a permanent state institution in order to strengthen the country’s effort to eradicate corruption, said KPK chairman Agus Rahardjo.
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Corruption Eradication Commission chairman Agus Rahardjo (left) and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani speak to journalists after the latter reported her wealth to the antigraft body on Sept. 22. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
T
he Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has demanded the elimination of its ad hoc status so that it becomes a permanent state institution in order to strengthen the country’s efforts to eradicate corruption, said KPK chairman Agus Rahardjo.
"[The KPK] is needed by this nation. Therefore, if we want to make corrupt practices a target [of legal reform], the [KPK's legal standing] might need to be revised," Agus told journalists on Thursday.
He said such an amendment should be included in the government's plan to formulate legal reform packages because as an ad hoc institution as stipulated in the 2002 KPK Law, the KPK is susceptible to being disbanded according to the will of the President.
Agus also demanded immunity for KPK commissioners and investigators when they worked on certain cases, especially to avoid the types of prosecution that have happened in the past.
“The immunity should be similar to the mechanism given to the commissioners of the Indonesian Ombudsman when they monitor services provided by the government and state-owned or private companies,” Agus said.
Former KPK commissioners Abraham Samad and Bambang Widjajanto, along with KPK investigator Novel Baswedan, were arrested by the police for alleged breaches of the law after the KPK named Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan a graft suspect.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo appointed Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto to lead the reform of the legal system and law enforcement in July. The date the legal reform packages are to be issued has not been set. (bbn)
