JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – A report circulated among journalists regarding a phone call from President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to Syafii Maarif, the Head of the independent figures team called Team Nine, that the President will cancel the nomination of graft suspect Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan as new Chief of the National Police.
Speaking to Kompas.com this morning (Feb. 4), Jimly Asshiddiqie, one member of the Team Nine, confirmed the report. Jimly said President Jokowi is now trying to find the right time to announce his decision to not inaugurate Budi Gunawan as new Police Chief.
Jimly said it is accordance to the recommendation of the Team Nine to the President.
As reported earlier, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno also asked Budi Gunawan to withdraw from his nomination.
The House of Representatives (DPR) had accepted Budi Gunawan’s nomination as the new Police Chief neglecting KPK’s decision that named the three-star police general as a graft suspect.
KPK charged Budi Gunawan with Article 12 letter a or b, Article 5 Paragraph 2, and Article 11 or 12B of the Anti-Corruption Law juncto Article 55 Paragraph 1 point 1 of the Criminal Code (KUHP). KPK has also blocked Budi Gunawan’s bank accounts and asked the Immigration office to ban Budi altogether with his son, Muhammad Herviano Widyatama, from overseas travel. (haryantosuharman@yosefardi.com)