"Just dissolve DPR if it is not allowed to carry out its function," Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Fadli Zon said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Fadli Zon has challenged the government to dissolve DPR if it is not allowed to exercise its right through Special Committee (Pansus) on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), now in the center of controversy in the country over the past several weeks.

"Just dissolve DPR" if it is not allowed to carry out its function, Fadi said here on Tuesday.

His statement came after suggestion that the Corruption Eradication Commission refused to honor summon by the Special Committee (Pansus).

Pansus was set up after KPK refused to release data about the results of its investigation of a lawmaker about electronic ID card procurement graft case implicating many lawmakers.

Fadli said in democratic system the House has the right to exercise control of government institutions including the KPK.

Therefore, KPK should face the Pansus for Inquiry Right naturally, he added.

"It is common in the whole world that DPR (House) controls the work of an agency or institution. That is what we call democracy," he said.

Supervision is one of the functions of the House as people representatives, he said, adding it is the essence of democracy.

He said KPK appealing to President Joko Widodo to reject the inquiry right on KPK shows that the agency has got panicked.

KPK should face the process in the Pansus as it is part of the constitutional process , he said, pointing out DPR is a constitutional institution, a pillar of democracy.

Earlier KPK chief Agus Rahardjo said he hoped President Joko Widodo rejects the inquiry right on KPK and steps in to cope with the furor over the inquiry right.

The president as the head of state has not made public his position in the quarrel between KPK and the House.

"KPK does not have to report to the President , but the president must have been aware of the situation . Hopefully the president would do something," Agus said.

With the Pansus set up, the DPR looks set to exercise its inquiry right on KPK despite controversy over its validity.

Experts said the House had set up Pansus against regulations it had made itself. Pansus for inquiry right is valid only when it is represented by all factions in the House. It had been set up without the participation of the factions of the Islamic Prosperity and Justice Party (PKS) and the Democrat Party.

In addition, inquiry right is used only on the government when it is considered to break the law. KPK is not a government agency, one expert said.

Director of Advocacy of the Anti Corruption Study Center of the state Gajah Mada University Oce Madril said in theory, Inquiry Right is the right (of Parliament) to conduct investigation when there was violation of the law by the government.

"It could not be used against KPK as Inquiry Right concerns government policy. In addition KPK may not release result of legal investigations outside court. It is against the law." Oce said.

The Pansus leaders claimed the inquiry right move was to strengthen KPK, but most observers believed the contrary saying Pansus was a plot to weaken KPK .

"The motive as claimed by some lawmakers is doubted especially as those supporting and active campaigning for the use of inquiry right on KPK are implicated in corruption cases," one observer said.

Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Agus Hermanto from the Demokrat faction, said the work of Pansus is feared to affect the performance of KPK, therefore, from the beginning his party refused to take part in forming the Pansus.

In the process, Pansus would repeatedly summon KPK and KPK has to waste time honoring the summon while it has a lot more important duty to do in fighting rampant corruption in the country, Agus said.

"Any institution needs to be controlled including KPK, but not necessarily with Inquiry Right Pansus. It would be enough through working meeting with the Commission III," he said.

Without the Democrat and PKS factions taking part, the Pansus held its first meeting on Wednesday (June 7) attended by the factions of Golkar, PDI Perjuangan, Hanura, Nasdem, PPP, PAN and Gerindra

The meeting elected Golkar politician Agun Gunandjar as its chairman, PDI Perjuangan Risa Mariska, Hanura politician Dossy Iskandar and Nasdem politician Taufiqulhadi as his deputies.

Meanwhile, KPK indicated it might not honor summon by the Pansus in exercising its inquiry right.

"KPK is still discussing it. It is in the final phase. Certainly we have invited experts for advice," KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah has said .

KPK questions the process of making decision on Inquiry Right on KPK at the House of Representatives. The decision had been made without allowing time for all factions to submit opinions.

"We think there are a lot to be questioned concerning the validity of the Pansus for Inquiry Right against KPK," Febri said.

However, former chairman of the Constitutional Court Jimly Asshiddiqie advised KPK not to refuse honoring summons by the Pansus.

"It is important to show that KPK is independent, but KPK must remains firm not to disclose the result of its legal investigation," Jimly said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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