Indonesian demonstrators march with a cartoon board depicting the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arresting corrupt officials during a rally in Malang in eastern Java island. (Photo: AFP Photo/Aman Rochman)
The House of Representative's special committee for anti-graft agency inquiry proposed a discourse saying National Police and KPK would not be given a budget in 2018 should the two institution can't 'respect' the House.
"We are currently discussing the state budget for 2018, which includes the [budget for] the police and KPK. However, if both institutions do not work as mandated by the law, including pay no respect to DPR, then we'll give zero budget for both in 2018. Done," said a member of Special Committee on KPK Inquiry from the Golkar Party Faction, Misbakhun in Jakarta on Tuesday.
According to Misbakhun, this has been discussed in the committee and approved by the majority of committee members consisting of 23 people from Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Golkar, Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), National Mandate Party (PAN), United Development Party (PPP), National Democratic Party (Nasdem) and People's Conscience Party (Hanura).
Most of the members of the committee are members of Commission III of DPR that oversees the Police and KPK. Each year, the commission is responsible to review the budget for both institutions.
The no-budget plan for the police and KPK came after on Monday, when the anti-graft agency refused to present Hanura Politician Miryam S. Haryani to the committee despite having requested by them.
The agency assesses the special committee's request was an attempt to obstruct legal process.
Miryam has been named a suspect and detained by the KPK since May 1, 2017. She allegedly provided false testimony during the electronic ID card (E-KTP) graft case trial.
The police also declined to carry out the request, stating the procedural law in for the act was unclear.
Meanwhile, National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said, the police plans to turn down any House's request to force pick people whose their testimonials are required during the inquiry process.
(brl/red)
