Remember oath of office, Kalla tells KPK chief

JAKARTA. Vice President Jusuf Kalla has reminded antigraft commission chairman Agus Rahardjo to observe his oath of office, replying to the latter's threat to resign if the the government and the House of Representatives proceed with plans to revise the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) law.

Kalla's statement comes after Agus said that he would resign from the KPK on Sunday.

"The oath of a government official, including the President, a governor and a minister, is to obey the constitution and the law. That is the oath," Kalla said on Monday as quoted by kompas.com.

The Vice President proceeded to further discuss the oath but did not address whether the threat made by Agus was inappropriate or unlawful.

The Forum of KPK Employees commended the approach taken by the KPK chairman, regarding it as a brave move.

"It is indeed a gallant act. The House is already blind, deaf and mute to the actions of national leaders, professors, artists, and students who have tirelessly voiced their rejection of the KPK Law revision," Forum of KPK Employees chairman Faisal said.

The decision made by the House to continue to discuss the revision must be faced sternly, he added. Agus' firm stance reflects that the antigraft body is unified in its rejection of the revision, Faisal continued.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo inaugurated Agus and four other KPK commissioners on Dec. 21.

Agus said on Sunday that he would be the first one to quit if the revision plans went ahead. The announcement followed a public outcry that voiced strong opposition to the proposed amendments, widely considered to weaken the KPK by limiting its capabilities.

He suggested that a religious approach was needed to support the KPK, citing the example of the fatwa, or edict, issued by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) that has declared bribery and gifts for officials as haram (unlawful).

The House will hold a plenary meeting to determine whether or not they will proceed with discussions on the KPK Law revision on Tuesday.

There are four amendments to be discussed: the formation of a supervisory council to monitor the antigraft body’s performance, removing the KPK’s ability to recruit its own investigators, granting KPK the authority to issue investigation termination warrants in corruption cases, and a requirement stipulating that the KPK obtain a permit to conduct a wiretap.