Anti-Graft Body Suggests Postponement Of Revision Of Its Law

Jakarta (Antara Bali) -- The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has suggested postponing the revision of law number 30 of 2002 on the agency.

"If asked for an opinion, we would say it would be better to revise the law after the Criminal Code (KUHP), Criminal Procedures Code (KUHAP) and law number 31 of 1999 on corruption eradication are synchronized," acting commissioner of the anti-corruption body Johan Budi said here on Thursday.

The KPK leadership and Commission III of the House of Representatives held a meeting on Thursday, during which the commission asked the KPK to give detailed and comprehensive inputs in connection with the planned revision of the KPK law.

"As a user of law number 30 of 2002, we have never been involved in discussions on it even though we are well aware of its shortcomings. So the KPK needs to be heard with regard to its revision," he remarked.

When informed that the parliament wished to revise the law to strengthen it, Budi expressed his confusion.

"Frankly speaking, I am confused. The government and the DPR (House of Representatives) have always said that the revision was aimed at strengthening the KPK. However, it would be contradictory when we know that the points to be reviewed will only lead to diminishing the agency's authority to prosecute and wiretap," he pointed out.

Budi also explained that the KPK will have to coordinate with the prosecutor's office whenever it plans to make charges, which contradicts the cheap, practical and fast procedures followed so far.

At the meeting, Commission III of the DPR also urged the KPK to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure and adhere to it while carrying out and implementing its duties, especially to improve internal supervision to prevent abuse of power.

The commission also urged the KPK to formulate a more measured system of corruption prevention for all ministries and state institutions as well as regional administrations.

On Tuesday, June 16, during a meeting of the DPR's Legislative Body, Justice Minister Yasonna Laoly noted that the revision of the KPK law as an initiative of the parliament had been included in the national legislation program of 2015 because several provisions need to be reviewed. This would help build a clean state and strengthen agencies concerned, such as the police, the prosecutor's office and the KPK, to ensure the settlement of corruption cases.

Moreover, the revision is needed with regard to the anti-graft agency's authority to wiretap, which must be allowed on parties that have been judicially processed to prevent human rights violations, as well.

In addition, it is needed to coordinate the KPK's authority to prosecute with that of the Attorney General's Office and also to establish a supervisory board and regulation for the implementation of tasks when the KPK leadership is unable to carry them out

Strengthening the regulation on collective, collegial principles is another reason the revision of the law is required. (WDY)