Novel Baswedan Response To Constitutional Court Decision Extends KPK Leadership Term: Innalillahi Wa Innailaihi Rojiun

Former senior KPK investigator Novel Baswedan, Thursday (25/5/2023). ANTARA/Laily Rahmawaty

JAKARTA - Former senior investigator of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Novel Baswedan gave a response regarding the decision of the Constitutional Court regarding the term of office of the KPK leadership.

"I want to answer what this used to be. So I answer with a decision phenomenon, yes, if that's the answer, Innalillahi wa innailaihi rojiun," Novel said as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, May 25.

According to the Deputy Chairperson of the Corruption Prevention Task Force, the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police, the current condition of the KPK is concerning, so that there is an extension, the KPK's condition is like losing its dignity.

However, Novel said, if you look at the legal perspective, the decision is not for the current leadership period.

"Because, of course, when the president appoints the KPK leadership with a decree. The decree says more or less the KPK period for 2019-2023 is right," said Novel.

Therefore, Novel continued, he believes that the President will prioritize the decrees made and of course the organizing committee (pansel) has prepared for the selection to change the leadership of the KPK.

Novel believes that the extension of the term of office of the KPK leadership decided by the Constitutional Court is not for the current period. Because every KPK leader appointed has a decree (SK). The current KPK leadership has a decree until 2023, so that when there is a new decision, it will apply for the next period.

Di mencontohkan, seperti Nurul Ghufron saat menjadi pimpinan KPK. Saat mengikuti proses, Nurul sudah mengikuti syarat-syarat administrasi berusia 40 tahun. Tapi ketika menjelang proses akan ada pelantikan, maka Nurul tidak mengikuti undang-undang yang baru atau perubahan undang-undangnya. Tetapi mengikuti aturan yang sudah ada.

"I'm sure they will work soon. Hopefully they will get a good leadership, so that we don't get sad anymore," said Novel.

Regarding the term of office of the KPK leadership to five years, Novel did not provide a response regarding this matter, because it was impossible to intervene. However, when it comes to existing decisions, it is seen from the legal perspective how the decision applies.

"The decision can of course only apply, of course, the next one will be elected. Why, later the president's term will change the decree that has been made. Unless the KPK leadership sues for its own decree, which is the decree on the president, right? There should be a legal action process, not suddenly," said Novel.

Previously, the Constitutional Court stated that the four-year tenure of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) was unconstitutional and changed it to five years.

The decision was read by the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Anwar Usman during a trial for the pronunciation of the provisions and decisions broadcast on the YouTube channel of the Indonesian Constitutional Court, monitored in Jakarta, Thursday (25/5).