"The essence of the revised law is to strengthen the KPK and not to weaken the institution," President Widodo stated.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The revision of the law on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is intended to strengthen the institution, according to President Joko Widodo.

"The essence of the revised law is to strengthen the KPK and not to weaken the institution," President Widodo stated at a press conference here on Wednesday.

The president reiterated that the revision of the law was initiated by the House of Representatives.

"Please ask the people about the revision of the law," he affirmed.

The president remarked that the revision of the law should involve legal experts, academics, and anti-corruption activists.

"Legal experts, academics, and anti-corruption activists should be involved in the revision process," the head of state emphasized.

President Widodo and First Lady Iriana arrived at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta, at 10 a.m. local time after visiting Paris, France, to attend the 21th Conference of the Parties (COP21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

President Widodo was welcomed by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Agung, State Secretary Pratikno, Coordinating Minister for Politic, Law, and Security Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Vice Governor of Jakarta Djarot Syaiful Hidayat, National Police Chief General Badrodin Haiti, and Indonesian Military Commander General Gatot Nurmantyo.

Earlier, the House of Representatives, led by the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), was set to revise the law on KPK that was believed to weaken the anti-graft agency.

The PDIP faction and several other factions -- Golkar, Nasdem, PKB, Hanura, and PPP -- constituted a vast majority of members of the Parliament who were ready to vote in favor of the revision.

Secretary of the PDIP faction Bambang Wuryanto stated that all members of the faction were united in supporting the move to revise Law No. 30 of 2002 on the KPK.

"The PDIP cadres have to stand in line with the partys order and follow it," Bambang said at the Parliament building here.

He noted that voting for revising the KPK law is an order from the party, and all members of the PDIP faction had agreed to follow it.

He emphasized the need to revisit KPKs history and how it was established until the call for revision.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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