House approves right of inquiry request against KPK

The House of Representatives gave a green light for the implementation of inquiry rights against the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) during a plenary session on Friday.  

Although several political party factions voiced their rejection, the plenary session approved the move, which was initially proposed by 25 members from eight out of 10 factions.

“Can this inquiry right proposal be agreed to?,” asked House Deputy Speaker Fahri Hamzah, who led the session.

“Agree,” they said. The three factions that rejected the proposal were the Democratic Party, the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Gerindra Party.

Lawmaker Erma Suryani Rani of the Dems said the implementation of the inquiry right had the potential to weaken the KPK both in its law enforcement and corruption eradication efforts.

“The Democratic Party doesn’t believe it's the right time to exercise the inquiry right. Hence, our faction declared ‘disagree’,” she said as quoted by kompas.com.

Erma acknowledged it was important for the House to clarify the commission’s work performance; however, it did not need to use its inquiry right.

Meanwhile, Gerindra Party faction member Martin Hutabarat suggested the House delay its decision on the proposal until the upcoming recess period ended.

Martin said he was worried that if the inquiry right was approved now, it would represent the interests of House members only.

“It will trigger a problem. Luckily, today [Friday], we will end our sitting session and enter the recess period. It will be better if we consult with our constituents first,” he said.