Agus Rahardjo's Statement Is Considered Tendensius During The 2024 Presidential Election Campaign

Former KPK Chairman Agus Rahardjo.(Between-Aprillio Akbar)

JAKARTA - The statement of former KPK Chairman Agus Rahardjo regarding President Jokowi's KPK intervention in the e-KTP corruption case that ensnared former Golkar chairman Setya Novanto (Setnov) is considered tendentious and vulnerable to being entangled in articles of the ITE Law.

Executive Director of Indonesia Law and Democracy Studies (ILDES), Juhady Rizaldy, said that the expression was feared to trigger a commotion considering that Indonesia is currently entering its political year.

"The statement must be confirmed to the Palace environment, because Mr. Agus said that the President is not a personal Jokowi, is attached to institutional dignity there, so it must be confirmed clearly," he said in a written statement, Saturday, December 2.

Juhady said the president's intervention was highly unlikely, because the position of the KPK at that time was an independent institution that was not included in the executive power clump. He also regretted that Agus did not provide a comprehensive explanation about the status of the anti-rasuah institution.

On the other hand, Juhady wonders why Agus has just uncovered this information when the 2024 election is a few months away.

"Pak Agus is a former chairman of the KPK, an official who was highly respected at that time, why only now and in the political year was also revealed about it, the public is wondering whether it is true or not. If it is not true, Mr. Agus must be legally responsible, yes maybe can be fake news in the ITE Law," he said.

Another impact due to Agus' statement was speculation about changes to the KPK Law, which was considered born because of the president's inability to stop corruption cases. According to Juhady, the narrative is getting wilder because the revised results allow the KPK to issue an Investigation Termination Order (SP3) and is now under executive control.

"So there are various events that are suspected of being linked to one another. And this is dangerous for the image of the President as the head of government and head of state," said Juhady.

Responding to this, Trisakti University legal lecturer Radian Syam reminded the public to be more selective in sorting information and not to easily believe in information circulating without verification. Entering the campaign period, he said, all parties are considered to have contributed to realizing an honest, fair, and quality 2024 election.

"I also believe that the people are mature and intelligent, know which news or issues are hoaxes or incitement and which news is constructive. All parties should maintain their words and integrity by maintaining every knowledge so that the 2024 General Election becomes a peaceful election," he said.

"The election is not an inciting event but a media election in building the nation," continued Radian.