The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named House of Representatives Speaker Setya Novanto a suspect in the electronic ID card corruption case that allegedly caused state losses of Rp 2.3 trillion. His suspect status was declared KPK chairman Agus Rahardjo (center), who was accompanied by KPK deputy chairman Saut Situmorang (right) and KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah at the KPK building, Jakarta, Monday (17/7).
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has declared House of Representatives Speaker Setya Novanto, who is also the Golkar Party chairman, a suspect in the electronic identity card (e-ID) case. Even though this may affect the Golkar Party psychologically, it will not change the political position of the party.
Golkar continues to support the Joko Widodo-Jusuf Kalla government. “The naming of the (Golkar) chairman a as suspect will not affect the work of the Golkar Party DPP (central board) as a collective institution,” said Golkar Party secretary-general Idrus Marham in front of Setya Novanto’s house in Jakarta, Monday (17/7).
Idrus made the statement while being accompanied by Golkar executive chief Nurdin Halid. Meanwhile, Novanto was understood to be inside the house with his legal advisors and a number of Golkar board members.
Novanto was named a suspect in the 2011-2012 e-ID procurement corruption case amid a number of political agendas at the House of Representatives. Besides working on an inquiry into the KPK, the House is also set to hold a plenary meeting to come to a decision regarding the general elections bill. The House’s position on Government Regulation in Lieu of Law No. 2/2017 on the revision to Law No. 17/2013 on mass organization is also much-awaited.
Fourth suspect
Novanto becomes the fourth suspect in the e-ID case. The three other suspects undergoing legal process are Irman (former Home Ministry director general for population and civil registration), Sugiharto (former Home Ministry director for population information and administration management) and Andi Agustinus alias Andi Narogong (businessman).
In the investigation of the case, the KPK has also named Hanura Party politician Miryam S Haryani a perjury suspect.
“After observing the facts of the case against two suspects, namely Irman and Sugiharto, the KPK found sufficient initial evidence to name SN a suspect. SN through AA (Andi Agustinus) is suspected to have played a role both in the process of budget planning and deliberation at the House of Representatives and the procurement of e-ID goods and services,” said KPK chairman Agus Rahardjo when announcing Novanto’s status as a suspect.
Novanto is also alleged to have conditioned the participants and winner of the e-ID goods and services procurement both in the budgeting and procurement process.
In analyzing the facts in the charges against Irman and Sugiharto, Novanto was the politician most mentioned in regards to receiving money in the e-ID case. Some of the witnesses in the case testified that Novanto had told House Commission II members to approve the e-ID project, and promised them rewards for doing so. However, when testifying in the e-ID trial, Novanto denied the accusation.
Agus Rahardjo said that the commission was ready for various efforts that may be carried out by Novanto’s legal team, such as the filing of a pretrial motion against Novanto’s status as a suspect. “Rejecting it is not an option. We must face it when it comes,” he said.
Meanwhile, Idrus said that Golkar and Novanto were still waiting for an official letter from the KPK on the naming of Novanto as a witness. The next move will be made after the letter has been received.
Position in Golkar
Idrus said that Novanto would still be the Golkar chairman until a legally binding verdict was issued.
Golkar Party’s head of law and human rights, Rudy Alfonso, added that before a legally binding verdict was issued, a Golkar member was assumed innocent.
However, Golkar Party functionary Ahmad Doli Kurnia suggested that Novanto take the initiative to step down. This way, Golkar could quickly prepare itself for a change of leadership through an extraordinary national conference.
Regarding Novanto’s position as House of Representatives speaker, House Deputy Speaker Fadli Zon stressed that any change would depend on the Golkar Party.
For the time being, Law No. 17/2014 on legislative institutions allows the appointment of an acting House speaker. “The acting speaker can be decided among us speakers. We will hold a meeting on it soon,” Fadli said.
Indonesia Corruption Watch researcher Tama S Langkun believes that Novanto should step down as House speaker. This needs to be done to prevent any abuse of power by a state institution leader, which could lead to resistance against the legal process, Tama said.
House Commission III deputy chairman from the Democrat Party Benny K Harman has expressed hope that the naming of Novanto as a suspect will not spark a political commotion. He also hopes that the KPK does not stop at Novanto in its investigation into the e-ID corruption case.
Former Muhammadiyah chairman Syafii Maarif stressed that what has happened with Novanto further highlights the problematic condition of the House of Representatives, which needs to be fixed quickly. “Regarding (the need for) improvement, they actually already understand, but they just keep doing these things and even call for the KPK to disbanded,” he said.
