Extension Of Firli Bahuri Et Al's Term Waiting For Presidential Decree

KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights (Wamenkumham) Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej stated that the extension of the position of Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is just waiting for a Presidential Decree (Keppres).

This assurance was conveyed after the Constitutional Court (MK) knocked on the judicial review submitted by the Deputy Chairperson of the KPK, Nurul Ghufron, on Thursday, May 25 yesterday. He said the institution had firmly stated that the decision made Firli Bahuri and other leaders to serve until 2024.

"There is no other interpretation that the term of office of the KPK leadership has been extended by one year until December 20, 2024," Edward said in a written statement, Friday, May 26.

"Thus, the President will change the Presidential Decree regarding the term of office of the KPK leadership which will end on December 20 and will be extended one year in the future," he continued.

MK spokesman Fajar Laksono said the extension of the term of office of the head of the anti-corruption commission was valid from the time the decision was made. Apart from Firli et al, the KPK Supervisory Board will also extend its term of office until 2024.

"According to the decision 112/PUU-XX/2022, the change in term of office to 5 years also applies to the KPK Supervisory Board, which currently serves from the original 4 years of office," Fajar said in a written statement, Friday, May 26.

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.