Jokowi Urged By Demonstrators At The KPK To Remove Firli Bahuri Due To Allegations Of SYL Extortion

Demonstrators in front of the KPK building, Wednesday, October 11, 2023/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - The East Indonesian Front urges President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to revoke the extension of his term of office as Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri.

This pressure was conveyed through a demonstration at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Wednesday, October 11.

The protesters said that this request arose because Firli was suspected of being involved in extortion in investigating allegations of corruption at the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan). This allegation is being handled by the Polda Metro Jaya.

"We have expressed an attitude of urging President Jokowi to immediately revoke the mandate for the extension of Firli Bahuri's position as the KPK leader because he is suspected of misappropriating his responsibilities as Chairman of the KPK," as quoted from the mass demands.

In addition, other law enforcement officers were asked to immediately investigate allegations of extortion or other meetings. Moreover, Firli has been suspected of violating the code of ethics several times.

'Investigating the alleged involvement of Firli Bahuri related to various meetings held with parties suspected of being involved in corruption cases.'

Previously reported, Polda Metro Jaya has upgraded the status of the alleged extortion case committed by KPK officials to Syahrul to the investigation stage. The decision was based on the results of the case title.

As for the investigation into the alleged extortion, photos of the meeting between Firli-Syahrul were widely circulated. The two of them seemed to meet on the indoor or indoor badminton field.

Regarding this photo, Firli has spoken up. He admitted to meeting Syahrul on March 2, 2022. However, the status of the NasDem politician is not a litigant because the investigation into alleged corruption in the Ministry of Agriculture only started in January 2023.

"The incident was not at my initiation or invitation," said Firli, quoted from his statement Monday, October 9.

However, Firli's statement was different from what he said before the photo was widely spread. At that time, he admitted that he had never met Syahrul.

This was conveyed in the middle of a press conference for the detention of the suspect on Thursday, October 5. Firli said the meeting only occurred during a meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta.

"Even at that time I always talked to the ministers before the plenary cabinet meeting was taken photos of him," he said.

"So I make sure that we have never had a relationship with the parties, let alone asked for something or called extortion. I said it was never done as alleged," continued Firli.