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KPK's role in doubt as new law takes effect
By default, the revised law takes effect 30 days after being passed by the House of Representatives as President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has yet to issue a government regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) to revoke the bill, which many observers have warned will weaken the antigraft body.
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Employees at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) lay flower and wreaths on top of a casket in front of the KPK's headquarter in Kuningan, Central Jakarta, on Sept. 13. Thursday marks the day when the controversial revision to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Law officially comes into effect, raising the question as to what will happen to the country’s leading corruption-fighting agency under the new legislation. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
T
hursday marks the day when the controversial revision to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Law officially comes into effect, raising the question as to what will happen to the country’s leading corruption-fighting agency under the new legislation.
By default, the revised law takes effect 30 days after being passed by the House of Representatives as President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has yet to issue a government regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) to revoke the bill, which many observers have warned will weaken the antigraft body.
Ifdhal Kasim from the Office of the Presidential Staff said on Wednesday that the President was still considering several matters before making any decision with regard to the KPK Law revision.
“The President still needs to talk with representatives of all political parties before taking the decision. However, this talk has yet to take place because of Pak Jokowi’s tight schedule ahead of his inauguration,” Ifdhal told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday, referring to the presidential inauguration on Oct. 20.
Aside from issuing the Perppu, he added that the President could take other measures, including pushing for a judicial review at the Constitutional Court.
The House passed the new KPK bill last month despite criticism from the general public that the revision contained articles that would weaken the commission. It later ignited a wave of online and offline protests across the country, mainly staged by university students who called on President Jokowi to issue a Perppu, among other demands.
Many experts, including current KPK leaders, believe the revised law is part of efforts to weaken the antigraft body. It mandates the formation of a supervisory council to oversee the KPK and would require the commission to obtain wiretapping, confiscating and search warrants from this council.
