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Antigraft activists prepare another legal challenge to KPK law
They say there are at least 15 problematic articles in the recently amended law.
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A group of protesters stage a rally in front of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) headquarters in Jakarta. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
T
he Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) together with dozens of activists from the Antigraft Civil Society Group plan to file a petition for judicial review of the newly revised Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Law in the Constitutional Court. The government has not taken any action to revoke the controversial amendments to the law.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo canceled his plan to issue a government regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) to annul the amended law. He said he would instead accelerate the establishment of a team to supervise the KPK—a move widely condemned by the public as a blow to the antigraft body’s power and independence.
ICW researcher Kurnia Ramadhana said antigraft activists were currently working on the petition, which will be filed in court this month.
"We are gathering evidence to support our argument that the new law was passed simply to weaken the KPK," Kurnia said on Monday, adding that the new law had at least 15 problematic articles in it.
Activists say issues with the law include Article 1 paragraph 3 of Law No. 19/2019, which stipulates that the KPK is no longer an independent body but rather a government institution, Article 37A and Article 37B paragraph 1 on the establishment of a supervisory council and its "excessive authority" to determine whether the KPK can continue with certain investigations.
Article 40 paragraph 1 sets a two-year time limit on the investigation of cases. This means that the body can stop pursuing a case if its investigation is not completed within two years.
"We will put all of the problematic articles in the petition and then present them to the judges," said Kurnia.
