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KPU seeks rapid appointment of new commissioner
The KPK arrested Wahyu last week for allegedly asking for a bribe of Rp 900 million (US$65,948) in exchange for his approval for Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Harun Masiku to fill the House of Representatives seat of Nazarudin Kiemas, who died prior to the election.
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Suspended General Elections Commission commissioner Wahyu Setiawan (center) is accused of asking for Rp 900 million (US$65,948) in bribes from Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle politician Harun Masiku. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
T
he country’s election agency is hoping a new commissioner will be chosen soon to replace Wahyu Setiawan, who was arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in an alleged bribery case pertaining to the replacement of a deceased election candidate.
The General Elections Commission (KPU) has made the process a priority following a ruling made by the Election Organization Ethics Council (DKPP) that found Wahyu had violated its code of ethics, which led to a recommendation to dismiss him from his position.
KPU chairman Arief Budiman said on Wednesday that he had sent a letter to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo regarding Wahyu’s arrest, as the law stipulates that the President is responsible for appointing and dismissing KPU commissioners.
The KPK arrested Wahyu last week for allegedly asking for a bribe of Rp 900 million (US$65,948) in exchange for his approval for Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Harun Masiku to fill the House of Representatives seat of Nazarudin Kiemas, who died prior to the election.
Wahyu submitted a resignation letter immediately after the antigraft body named him a bribery suspect last week. He confirmed this on Wednesday saying that he “has resigned since Jan. 10”.
Arief, however, begged to differ: “As long as there’s no presidential decree that dismisses Wahyu from his position, he is formally still a KPU commissioner.”
Should the President issue an official decree on Wahyu’s dismissal, Arief added that the KPU would appoint a replacement, who might be I Dewa Kade Wiarsa Raka Sandi, a member of the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) in Bali, who won the eighth-highest number votes during the selection of the current commissioners.
