His visit has provoked criticism from antigraft activists who said that it was unethical as the prevailing KPK Law prohibits its leadership from making any contact with those being investigated by the commission, under any circumstances. A violation of this rule carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Firli joined several investigators and doctors from the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) in a visit to graft suspect and Papua Governor Lukas Enembe last Thursday to examine his health condition and search his residence. In a widely circulated photo, Firli was seen shaking hands with Lukas. In Papua, KPK investigators also searched the offices of two private companies related to the case.

Lukas failed to show up for questioning at the KPK headquarters in Jakarta for a second time on Sept. 18 after he missed his first summons on Sept. 12 – both times citing health problems.

The KPK apparently was aware of the delicate nature of the visit and the potential backlash.

Spokesperson Ali Fikri said that the KPK had previously discussed Firli’s trip thoroughly within their ranks and that the trip to Papua was an effort to verify statements from Lukas’ legal team and personal doctor saying that he was not in a condition to be questioned in Jakarta.

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"The visit [of Firli] to Papua has a legal basis,” he said.

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