JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has urged the House of Representatives (DPR) to stop discussing the bill on the Criminal Code Procedures (KUHAP) as the bill is seen as an effort to weakening the KPK’s authority on combating corruption, Kompas.com reported.
KPK Deputy Chief Bambang Widjojanto revealed three reasons of urging the stop on discussion about the KUHAP. First, concern of time as DPR only has 108 works days left; Second, inadequate draft content; and Third, the absence of KPK and the public’s involvement on the discussion. Siti Aminah from the Coalition of Anti-Corruption Watch, meanwhile, alleged a conflict of interest of the lawmakers involved in the discussion of the KUHAP bill.
She pointed to some lawmakers implicated in graft cases who are also listed as members of the House Working Committee on the KUHAP bill. The KUHAP bill is alleged by KPK as an effort to weakening the KPK’s authority in combating corruption. The lawmakers removed KPK’s authority in investigating cases and KPK is required to seek permission from panel of judges to conduct wiretapping.
Vice Minister of Law and Human Rights Denny Indrayana said his ministry would withdraw the bill if the bill is aimed to weakening KPK. Previously, the lawmakers along with the government had ever tried to curtail KPK’s power in wiretapping and prosecution through the amendment of KPK Law No 30/2002. However, that amendment did not take place as the public strongly rejected. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)