House of Representatives Commission III Rebukes Jokowi's Claim of Not Signing KPK Bill

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia — A member of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR) from the PKB Faction, Abdullah, has criticised the statement by the seventh President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, who claimed he did not sign the revision of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Law in 2019. “The statement by President Joko Widodo, which essentially claims he had no role in the enactment of the 2019 KPK Law or Law Number 19 of 2019 on the KPK, is inaccurate,” said Abdullah when contacted on Sunday (15 February).

First, Abdullah explained, the government sent representatives to discuss the KPK Bill jointly with the DPR. Second, after the joint discussion, the KPK Bill was signed by the Acting Minister of Law and Human Rights, Tjahjo Kumolo, for promulgation. According to Abdullah, Tjahjo would not have signed the KPK Bill to replace the previous law without the President’s approval. “That law was then promulgated by the Acting Minister of Law and Human Rights, Tjahjo Kumolo, certainly with the authorisation of the President at the time,” said Abdullah.

Therefore, he clarified, even though it was not directly signed by Jokowi as President at the time, the KPK Bill, as embodied in Law Number 19 of 2019, remains valid and in force. Referring to Article 30 Paragraph 5 of the 1945 Constitution, a law remains effective 30 days after being passed by the DPR, with or without the President’s signature. “The fact that the latest KPK Law was not signed by him makes no difference, because based on Article 30 Paragraph 5 of the 1945 Constitution, the law still takes effect 30 days after being passed, with or without the President’s signature,” he said.

Jokowi had previously responded to proposals to revert the Corruption Eradication Commission Law to its pre-revision version. This proposal was made by the KPK Chairman for the 2011-2015 period, Abraham Samad, during a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at Kertanegara on Friday (30 January). Jokowi welcomed Abraham Samad’s proposal. “Yes, I agree, that’s good,” replied Jokowi after watching a match between Persis Solo and Madura United at Manahan Stadium in Solo on Friday (13 February).