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BREAKING: KPK bill passed into law
Despite widespread criticism from activists and experts, the House of Representatives passed the new Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) bill into law on Tuesday afternoon, in a speedy turnaround that stands in stark contrast to the legislative body's usually protracted deliberations.
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Rest in peace: Employees of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) lay flowers and wreaths on top of a casket in front of the KPK's headquarters in Kuningan, Central Jakarta, on Friday. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
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espite widespread criticism from activists and experts, the House of Representatives passed the new Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) bill into law in a plenary session on Tuesday, in a speedy turnaround that stands in stark contrast to the legislative body's usually protracted deliberations.
Experts and activists see the bill as part of a concerted effort to weaken the antigraft body, with its passing coming hot on the heels of the selection of Insp. Gen. Firli Bahuri as the new KPK chairman for the 2019-2023 term. Firli stands accused of "gross ethical violations" during his time as KPK law enforcement deputy in 2018.
"Can [...] the revision of Law No. 30/2002 regarding the Corruption Eradication Commission be approved as a law?" House Deputy Speaker Fahri Hamzah, who chaired the session, asked the lawmakers in attendance.
"Yes," the lawmakers replied in unison.
The bill mandates the formation of a supervisory council to oversee the KPK, require all KPK employees to be civil servants -- effectively turning it into a government body -- and requires the KPK to obtain wiretapping warrants from the council.
In accordance with the government's objections, the final bill removed the requirements that the commission consult the Attorney General's Office for sentencing, the provision that KPK investigators should only come from the ranks of police or prosecutors and retains the KPK's authority to manage wealth reports.
In an uncharacteristically speedy fashion, the bill, first proposed by the House's legislation body (Baleg), was agreed upon by all parties in 4 minutes without interruption during a plenary session on Sept. 4. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo sent a presidential letter that kickstarted deliberations on the evening of Sept. 11 and Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly came to the House to participate in a previously unannounced meeting regarding the bill on the evening of Sept. 12.
