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Jokowi must stand against KPK Law change: Experts
Hands off: Anticorruption activists hold placards during street rallies in Jakarta on Dec
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span class="caption">Hands off: Anticorruption activists hold placards during street rallies in Jakarta on Dec. 10. The rallies were held to protest against the House of Representatives' efforts to revise the law on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). (Antara)
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has been advised to oppose the House of Representatives' plan to revise Law. No. 30/2002 on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
The House appears determined to push the revision through, despite public opposition. The results of the latest survey conducted by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) show that 61 percent of people are against the revision, which, it is feared, would hamstring the antigraft body.
"Public opinion is in favor of the KPK and against the House's plan. Jokowi should help them to voice their will," political expert Burhanuddin Muhtadi said on Tuesday.
Corruption eradication has been a thorny issue for Jokowi's administration, starting with a feud last year between the KPK and the National Police, which ended with the dismissals of two KPK commissioners.
With public doubts lingering over Jokowi's commitment to fighting corruption, the President, Burhanuddin argued, should be more independent as a decision-maker. As President, Jokowi serves neither the House nor political parties, but is mandated by the Constitution to serve the people, according to Burhanuddin.
"The selection of the new KPK leaders reinforced the public opinion that the KPK is now defective," Burhanuddin added.
The SMRC survey showed great public support for the KPK, with 82.9 percent of respondents saying they trusted the commission more than other law-enforcement bodies such as the courts, the police or the Attorney General's Office (AGO).
As such, the public appears to oppose the planned curtailing of the KPK's law enforcement authority. If the revision is passed, the commission would lose its right to surveillance and its authority to prosecute.
Similarly, Joseph Kristiadi, a senior researcher at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said Jokowi should use his power to stop the planned revision in its tracks.
With 63 percent of respondents picking Jokowi as the current best possible leader, the President had the political power to oppose the House, Joseph argued.
"Jokowi should stop the House's attempt to revise the KPK Law," he said. (bbn)
