President not to dissolve KPK: spokesman

A presidential spokesman said here on Monday that it is impossible for President Joko Widodo to dissolve Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and he has no intention of doing it.

"When the issue enters his domain, he, as an executive, will reject it because dissolving the agency will not only weaken it but also liquidate it. Certainly, the president will not do it," the spokesman, Johan Budi, asserted.

He stated that Widodo cannot halt the current exercise of the inquiry right by the House of Representatives (DPR), because he is an executive and DPR is a legislative institution.

"In terms of constitutional law, the inquiry right belongs to DPR. It is under the domain of DPR, while the president and DPR are at an equal level," Johan remarked.

He noted that Widodos stance regarding KPK was that he would continue strengthening it instead of weakening it.

"The president hopes that everything must be done constitutionally," he added.

Constitutional law expert Yusril Ihza Mahendra remarked that DPR could use the inquiry right against KPK as part of its efforts to supervise it.

"KPK is formed by law. Therefore, to monitor the implementation of the law, DPR may exercise its inquiry right against it," Yusril concluded.

Reported by Bayu Prasetyo
 

Source: ANTARA