"As the organizer (of the election), we ask (KPK) to postpone the investigation and the submission of their names as witnesses as well as suspects," Wiranto stated here on Monday.
The postponement, he noted, is aimed at avoiding any disruptions in the simultaneous election process and distraction of the candidates by the legal process.
"The candidates would have to meet KPK`s summon as witness or suspect, and this will affect their votes. It would affect their candidacy as well," he noted.
The commission`s move to name a candidate as a suspect would also create a political impact, Wiranto remarked. "When a person is named as a candidate, he will not be seen as an individual but as being owned by voters, parties, and the public."
Therefore, he explained that the anti-graft commission should have named them as suspects before the General Election Commission (KPU) declared them as election candidates.
"Therefore, it is not an excessive demand from the election organizers, to postpone it. Later, after (the 2018 regional election), the commission could continue (the legal process)," Wiranto revealed.
Previously, KPK chairman Agus Rahardjo noted that the anti-graft body has paid close attention to a number of candidates participating in the 2018 simultaneous regional elections on account of graft accusations.
KPK has so far had arrested five regional election candidates for their alleged involvement in graft. Southeast Sulawesi gubernatorial candidate Asrun was the latest candidate arrested by the anti-graft body on March 1.
It arrested the former Kendari mayor along with his son Adriatma Dwi Putra, who serves as the current Kendari mayor, for allegedly accepting Rp2.8 billion (US$203,280) as bribe.
Reported by Agita Tarigan
(S022/INE)
(T.SYS/A/KR-BSR/A014)
Reporter: SYSTEM
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
