National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Setyo Wasisto answers reporters’ questions regarding the meeting between the National Police and the special committee for the inquiry on the KPK at the National Police headquarters in Jakarta, Wednesday (4/10).
The House of Representatives’ Special Inquiry Committee on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) plans to ask for help from the National Police to use force in summoning KPK leaders to meet with the committee. An uproar may ensue.
The plan was announced by committee member Bambang Soesatyo from the Golkar Party. As quoted by Kompas, Bambang said, “The point is, the National Police chief told us that if the House wanted [the KPK leaders to meet with the committee], he would consider it.” (Kompas, Oct. 5, 2017). National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Setyo Wasisto has denied that any discussion took place between the National Police chief and inquiry committee’s members on the possibility of using force in getting KPK leaders to meet with the inquiry committee.
This plan will surely trigger a new political uproar. This is in spite of President Joko Widodo’s reminding everyone to avoid such uproars. After the end of the committee’s 60-day term, the House agreed to an indefinite extension for it to complete its tasks, despite the objections of a number of its factions. Some factions wish to get off the committee and want it to complete its tasks soon; others want it both ways, maintaining their good public image while undermining the KPK.
The KPK has a clear stance. The anti-corruption agency is waiting for a decision from the Constitutional Court (MK) on the constitutionality of the House using its inquiry right to launch an investigation into an independent commission. Thus far, the inquiry right is to be used only to investigate government policies that are deemed to have violated the law. The idea to involve the National Police to forcibly summon KPK leaders will surely create new political complexities. Apart from the absence of legal grounds for forcibly summoning the representatives of an agency to a political investigation, the move will only trigger further conflict amid the two institutions.
The report an individual named Madun Haryadi filed with the police against KPK chief Agus Rahardjo is known to be a trick to undermine the KPK. The police should be careful in investigating Madun’s report by first reviewing his track record. The moment the police receive the report and name suspects, the KPK leader will become inactive. The KPK will then be in a weak position, as its leaders will be forced to resign the moment they are named suspects. Madun’s report is believed to be an attempt to undermine the KPK.
We hope those House factions supporting the government will be wiser. The moves they make in this situation will affect voters in the upcoming regional elections and the 2019 general election. The good news is that, if the MK is willing, it can prioritize a judicial review of the case to help prevent any further uproar.
