The Jakarta Post
Despite 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,&q...