Firli Bahuri Et Al's Term Increases, Abraham Samad: KPK Is No Longer Independent

JAKARTA - Former Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Abraham Samad assessed that the KPK is no longer independent. The reason is that the tenure of leaders in the institution is now the same as other ministries or institutions in the executive family.

"After this decision, it is more convincing to us that the KPK is now an executive. Because he is following the format of the term of office in the executive," Samad told reporters quoted on Friday, May 26.

"So it makes us even more assertive that the KPK has now become an institution that is no longer independent, but has been transformed into an executive institution, especially if we relate it to the previous KPK Law," he continued.

Samad explained that the term of office of the KPK leadership, which is only four years, is a characteristic that should be maintained. However, the latest Constitutional Court decision makes this uniqueness disappear and strengthens the position of the anti-corruption commission in the executive family.

"KPK must have characteristics, have specialities so that other institutions make it a role model, make it a reference. But if it is the same as the others, it means that in our country there are no institutions that are used as role models. Even though it is necessary," he said.

Even so, Samad still respects the decision made by the Constitutional Court. "What do you want to do again," he said.

As previously reported, the Constitutional Court granted the request for a judicial review submitted by the Deputy Chairperson of the KPK, Nurul Ghufron, on Thursday, May 25. This decision was read out by Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Anwar Usman during the Decree and Decision Speech Session.

"Declaring Article 34 of the KPK Law which originally reads 'KPK leaders hold office for 4 years and can be re-elected only for one term' contrary to the 1945 Constitution and do not have conditionally binding legal force as long as it is interpreted as 'KPK leaders hold office for 5 years and can be re-elected only for one term of office,' said Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Anwar Usman, which was broadcast on the MK YouTube channel.

There were several considerations in the decision. Among them, for the sake of alignment, because the four-year term scheme, recruitment was carried out twice, namely December 2019 and December 2023.

Meanwhile, Ghufron thanked the Constitutional Court for granting his lawsuit. "This is a victory with a democratic constitution," Ghufron told reporters, Thursday, May 25.

Ghufron said he welcomed the decision. This is because the panel of judges considered the lawsuit.

"Also to all people who have paid attention and helped provide views both pros and cons," he said.