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resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said Tuesday that he wanted a strong on Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), but stopped short of criticizing the lawmakers’ move to launch an inquiry into the anti-graft body.

The President’s statement came only days after KPK chairman Agus Raharjo told the media that the President should make a stand in a fresh row between the agency and the House of Representatives.

The KPK and its defenders have claimed the inquiry was a thinly veiled attempt by the lawmakers to weaken it.

The proposal to launch the inquiry was made as the KPK was investigating the alleged roles of dozens of politicians in a graft case surrounding a multi-billion dollar project to procure electronic identification (e-ID) cards.

Jokowi said the inquiry was the jurisdiction of the House and he had no authority to intervene as President.

Jokowi, however, made it clear that he wanted the KPK to remain strong as it was badly needed to root out rampant corruption still plaguing the country.

“We need a strong KPK. Do not ever think of weakening the KPK. The inquiry is the right of the House,” Jokowi said when visiting reporters at the Presidential Palace media center.

The House has claimed that the inquiry was not meant to weaken the KPK, saying it was instead intended to provide the KPK with suggestions on how to correct any wrongdoings committed by its investigators.

The lawmakers have alleged that the KPK’s handling of the e-ID graft case was plagued by irregularities. The inquiry is set to force the commission to disclose documents and recordings related to the e-ID graft probe.

When asked if the KPK had been professional in doing its job, Jokowi said, “If there is something that needs to be fixed in the KPK then it should be done because we need a strong KPK in combating corruption in the country.”

The President’s refusal to denounce the House’s move has drawn strong rebuke from anti-graft activists.

The Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) lashed out at Jokowi for his “ambiguous statements” and supposed failure to support the country’s efforts to combat widespread graft.

ICW researcher Donal Fariz said Jokowi’s refusal to stand with the KPK would backfire as the purpose of the inquiry was to issue a recommendation that the President should follow as mandated by the 2014 Legislative Institution Law (MD3).

“The President cannot stay neutral in politics. The inquiry was initiated by parties that support his government. We need him to make a political decision to ask pro-government parties to drop the inquiry,” he said.

Donal warned that it is possible the inquiry results in a recommendation that the President dissolve the KPK.

Among major proponents of the inquiry were Jokowi’s Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the Golkar Party, the NasDem Party and the Hanura Party. Golkar and Hanura have officially declared support for Jokowi’s re-election in 2019.

Separately, the House on Tuesday called on the KPK to comply with its summons.

“We are just doing our job by launching the investigation. The KPK will only create new problems by avoiding meetings with us,” PDI-P politician Risa Mariska said.

The newly established inquiry team is scheduled to hold an internal on Wednesday, when it is expected to discuss a list of stakeholders to be invited to attend meetings during the investigation, which will include the KPK.

The team recently announced it would need around Rp 3.1 billion (US$232,500) for the investigation, which quickly raised protests, particularly from anti-corruption activists.