The Democrat Party strongly rejects a number of points in the draft law, but whether the draft law is to be debated would depend on the government and the majority of the factions.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Lawmaker Agus Hermanto from the Democrat Party faction said his party rejects the draft law on Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) proposed by a number of lawmakers.

"The Democrat Party does not see the need for revision of the KPK law," Agus, a deputy speaker of the parliament said here on Monday.

The draft law proposed by lawmakers from a number of factions including the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) has been widely accused of being a move to weaken KPK and to protect corrupt people.

Agus said the draft law that calls for termination of the agency in 12 years raised big question.

The Democrat Party strongly rejects a number of points in the draft law, but whether the draft law is to be debated would depend on the government and the majority of the factions, he said.

If the draft is to be debated, Democrat Party would vote for the strengthening of the agency, he added.

A group of lawmakers from the faction of PDIP, Golkar, Nasdem, PKB, Hanura and PPP proposed the draft law.

PDIP faction secretary Bambang Wuryanto said all members of the faction are united in supporting the move to revise the Law No. 30 of 2002 on KPK.

"PDIP cadres have to stand in line with the order of the party and carry out the order," Bambang said at the Parliament building here on Thursday.

He said voting for the revision of the KPK law is an order from the party and claimed all members of the PDIP faction agreed to carry out the order.

KPK was formed in 2002 as existing law enforcement agencies- police and the prosecution office, were considered ineffective in battling rampant corruption in the country.

KPK has succeeded in uncovering a number of high profile corruption cases involving senior officials including cabinet ministers, and police generals.

The revision calls for stripping KPK of much of its power including the authority to prosecute suspects, and that the agency is allowed only to investigate corruption cases involving at least Rp50 billion of state funds.

The draft law also calls for banning KPK from tapping conversation in the process of investigation without approval from the chairman of a court.

The draft law placed President Joko Widodo, a PDIP cadre, in opposing positions with the ruling party.

President Joko Widodo has pledged to strengthen KPK, and already cancelled move earlier to revise the KPK law.

KPK leaders have voiced strong protest against the draft law calling for the revision of the anti graft agency, which has been seen as a super body with two much authority.

"For 12 years KPK has proved good cooperation in the process of investigation and prosecution with 100 percent of suspects convicted," acting chairman of KPK Taufiequrrachman Ruki said.

KPK also rejected opposition to KPK naming own investigators. So far KPK investigators have been supplied by police and the prosecution office.

"KPK should be given the authority to recruit own staff and name investigators and general prosecutors," Ruki added.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) said the initiative to revise the law on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) should come from the government.

"Clearly we are not in a position (weaken KPK). We reject the move," its President Sohibul Iman said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015