MAKI: Reasons For Tasks Cannot Be Justification For Firli Meeting Lukas Enembe

The meeting of a team from the KPK, including KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri, together with the suspect in the alleged corruption case, Lukas Enembe, in Jayapura. (doc VOI-Spc)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) believes that the meeting between the Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri and Papua Governor Lukas Enembe cannot be justified. Based on Article 36 of the KPK Law Number 19 of 2019, the head of the anti-corruption commission is not allowed to meet with the suspect.

"The reason for carrying out their duties cannot be used as an excuse for the KPK leadership to meet the suspect, either openly or privately, based on Article 36 of the KPK Law," said MAKI Coordinator Boyamin Saiman to reporters, Tuesday, November 8.

"The article expressly prohibits the KPK leadership from meeting the suspect," he continued.

Boyamin was also surprised that the KPK Supervisory Board allowed Firli to meet Lukas in Jayapura on Thursday, November 4. According to him, Tumpak Hatorangan et al should have prevented the departure of the former Deputy for Enforcement of the KPK.

In addition, one of the KPK Supervisory Boards, Albertina Ho, should also refrain from commenting publicly on Firli's departure to Jayapura. "Because if someone complains to the KPK Council, she (Albertina, ed) is not neutral," he said.

As previously reported, Firli Bahuri together with a team of KPK doctors and the Executive Board of the Indonesian Doctors Association (PB IDI) and investigators met Lukas Enembe on Thursday, November 3. Investigations related to the alleged corruption carried out by Lukas have also been carried out.

However, the examination was immediately completed because of Lukas's health. At that time, he was sick and his condition was checked by a team of doctors.

Meanwhile, the presence of the KPK in Jayapura was highlighted. One of them came from a former KPK employee who was a member of the Indonesia Calling (IM) 57+ Institute who assessed that there was special treatment from the anti-corruption commission for Lukas.

"Why is Lukas Enembe not treated the same as the other suspects who were absent and were not willing to come despite being called many times by the KPK," Praswad told reporters, Friday, November 4.

Praswad assessed that this action was not in accordance with the principles and code of ethics of the KPK, one of which was to treat all Indonesian citizens equally before the law. In fact, this treatment could set a bad precedent.

He said, it is not impossible that Lukas' method will be followed by other suspects. They could have made excuses, and even asked the head of the anti-corruption commission to meet with them to lobby.