Do not revise it just based on assumptions or certain interests, but it must first be studied."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Twelve professors from various universities have voiced their support to the leadership of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for rejecting the planned revision of Law No. 30 of 2002 on KPK.

"This is a form of support from academicians, particularly from campuses, to participate in maintaining and strengthening the KPK," Prof. Bambang Widodo Umar of the University of Indonesia (UI) stated at the KPK building here on Friday.

He and Prof. Faisal Santiago of the Borobudur University were received by KPK Chairman Agus Rahardjo and Deputy Chairperson Basaria Panjaitan.

The agency still needs to eradicate corruption, and any revision of the KPK law would need an in-depth study, he added.

"Do not revise it just based on assumptions or certain interests, but it must first be studied," he stated.

Santiago said it was not yet time to revise the Law on KPK as the agency still needed to eradicate corruption.

"If the authority of the KPK is reduced, it will no longer be KPK, but just an ordinary institution," he said, affirming that the agency should have a greater authority than other legal enforcement institutions, such as the police and the attorney generals office.

The other professors who rejected the revision are Komariah Emong from the University of Padjajaran in Bandung, Hariadi Kartodiharjo of the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) and Marwan Mas of the University of Bosowa 45.

Also Hamdi Muluk and Rhenaldi Kasali of the UI, Saldi Isra of the University of Andalas in Padang, Hibnu Nugroho of the University of General Soedirman, Todung Mulya Lubis of the University of Melbourne, Andi Hamzah of Trisakti University, and LIPI researcher Ikrar Nusa Bakti and Indiryanto Seno Adji of the University of Krisnadwipayana.

President Joko Widodo recently reiterated his support to the revision of the Law on KPK only if it would strengthen the anti-graft agency.
(T.D017/Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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