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Jokowi issues letter to begin revision of KPK law
The President’s decision came amid mounting calls for the President to block the House’s attempt to revise the KPK law by refusing to issue the presidential letter, without which the lawmakers would not be able to begin deliberation
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo delivers his state of the nation address at the House of Representatives complex in Jakarta. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
P
resident Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has sent a letter to the House of Representatives to show his approval of a revision to the 2002 law on the Corruption Eradication Commission despite concerns from activists and academics that the proposed amendment would only weaken the antigraft body.
“The Surpres [presidential letter] has been signed by the President and sent to the House of Representatives,” State Secretary Pratikno said on Wednesday.
The official declined to reveal the letter’s content, saying that the President himself would do it, but added that the government had revised the draft bill sent by the House. “The President said the KPK was an independent state institution in corruption eradication and that it had [more powers] than other agencies.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Jokowi said he had received the bill’s problem inventory list (DIM) from the House and that he would study it for the next two days to decide on which articles in the draft the government would agree to be amended.
The President said he would issue the Surpres after looking through the list, though he did not say exactly when. “We will indeed send the letter later. Tomorrow I will convey the materials that need revision.”
He reiterated his support for the KPK, saying that he would block “unnecessary restrictions” proposed in the bill to protect the KPK’s independence.
“That’s the point,” he said.
