"If the revision is intended to reduce the KPK`s power, then the president has firmly stated that the government will withdraw from participating in the discussion on the revision of the law," Johan Budi affirmed.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo will strongly reject the revision of the law on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) if it weakens the power of the institution, presidential spokesman Johan Budi stated here on Tuesday.

"If the revision is intended to reduce the KPKs power, then the president has firmly stated that the government will withdraw from participating in the discussion on the revision of the law," he affirmed.

He pointed out that the legislative body of the House of Representatives factions still harbored differing opinions on the proposed draft of the revision.

"The president is consistent in his approach that the revision of the law must be meant to strengthen the KPK, and if the revision is intended to weaken it, then the government will withdraw from joining in the discussion," he emphasized.

According to Budi, the revision that would weaken the KPK could, for instance, be in the form of limiting or curtailing the authority so far held by the anti-graft body in ways such as necessitating the institution to seek a permit from the court if it wanted to conduct bugging activities.

"Eradicating or reducing the KPKs authority to prosecute will also weaken the agency. The president does not agree with the efforts aimed at weakening the KPK," he remarked.

Budi noted that the president would take into account the peoples objections that had surfaced recently in connection with the proposed revision of the KPK law.

"Reactions that came from the public would certainly be taken into account by the president while making his decision," he remarked.

Regarding the settlement of the cases involving former KPK commissioners Abraham Samad and Bambang Widjojanto as well as KPK investigator Novel Baswedan, Budi clarified that it had been referred to the attorney general.

"The president has ordered the settlement of their cases without any reserves. The technicality is being referred to the attorney general," he added.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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