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Jokowi dismisses Firli, names interim KPK chief
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Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chair Firli Bahuri speaks during a press briefing at the commission’s headquarters in Jakarta on Sept. 19, 2023. (Antara/Muhammad Adimaja)
P
resident Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has dismissed Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman Firli Bahuri and appointed an interim head of the antigraft body after Firli was charged with the extortion of a former minister.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Jokowi said he had, the day before, signed a presidential decree releasing Firli of his responsibilities and authority as KPK chief and appointing Nawawi Pomalongo – one of Firli’s four deputies – as acting head of the commission.
Asked why he had picked Nawawi, Jokowi revealed little.
“There were many considerations. While there were four choices, we had to choose only one. We can't choose all four," he said, adding that he expected the KPK would “run well” under Nawawi’s leadership until a definitive chief was vetted and elected.
Prior to joining the KPK in 2019, Nawawi served as a judge on the Jakarta Corruption Court. He presided over the 2017 trial of former Constitutional Court justice Patrialis Akbar on bribery charges and sentenced him to eight years in prison.
Deputy KPK chairman Nurul Ghufron said on Sunday that Nawawi would enjoy the support of KPK personnel in the new position.
“I think everybody at the KPK will support [him] and hope that Nawawi can restore the [institution’s] dignity and public support for the KPK," Nurul said.
