KPK Leaders and Former Investigators Weigh In on Proposal to Revert KPK Law to Original Version
Jakarta — KPK leaders and former investigators have responded to the proposal to revert the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Law to its original version in order to strengthen the position of Indonesia’s anti-corruption body. The idea was first raised by former KPK Chairman Abraham Samad during a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto some time ago.
Samad said he was asked for his views on how to improve Indonesia’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). During the discussion, Samad suggested the government create a more effective anti-corruption roadmap that addresses the root causes of corruption.
“Firstly, I said that anti-corruption efforts have not been addressing the root causes. To be effective, they must tackle the roots. Secondly, regarding the CPI, there are four things that must be considered with reference to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC),” Samad told reporters on Sunday (1 February 2026).
Samad said Prabowo had asked why the KPK’s current performance was not as strong as before. Samad assessed that one of the main contributing factors was the 2019 revision of the KPK Law, which curtailed the commission’s authority and placed it under the executive branch.
“In my view, if we refer to UNCAC, anti-corruption bodies worldwide must be independent, not under the executive branch. Since we have signed and ratified UNCAC, we should comply. So we are violating international rules — it should be independent as it was before,” Samad said.
“Thirdly, I raised the issue of KPK commissioner recruitment in the past, which disregarded public input. During Firli Bahuri’s time, there was considerable public feedback that he was unfit to lead the KPK, but it was ignored. As a result, once elected, legal violations occurred. Integrity and morality were destroyed, yet he was still chosen. So the recruitment process was indeed problematic,” he added.
The statement drew responses from several quarters. Indonesia’s seventh President Joko Widodo, current KPK leaders and former KPK investigators all weighed in.
Jokowi Agrees with Samad
Former President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said he agreed with any plan to revise the KPK Law once more. Jokowi stressed that the 2019 KPK Law revision was originally initiated by the House of Representatives (DPR).
“Yes, I agree, it would be good [for the KPK Law to revert to the old version], because that [KPK Law revision] was a DPR initiative. Don’t get it wrong — it was a DPR initiative,” Jokowi said after watching a Persis Solo versus Madura United match at Manahan Stadium on Friday (13 February 2026).
He acknowledged that the KPK Law was revised during his term in office. However, he emphasised that he did not sign the revised law.
“Yes, indeed [the KPK Law revision]. At that time it was revised on the DPR’s initiative, but I did not sign it,” Jokowi affirmed.
KPK Leadership Says Law Is Not a ‘Borrowed Item’
KPK Deputy Chairman Johanis Tanak responded to the proposal to revert the KPK Law. He said a law is not like an item that can be returned once finished with.
“What is there to return? A law is not something you can borrow and then return when you’re done using it,” Tanak said when contacted on Sunday (15 February 2026).
Tanak noted that the KPK is currently operating under both the old and new laws. He affirmed that the KPK as an anti-corruption body remains focused on preventing and eradicating corruption.
“Currently, the KPK works based on both the old and new KPK Laws. Under the new KPK Law, the legal status of KPK employees is clear as civil servants (ASN),” he said.
“If you want the KPK to work independently without interference from other institutions, the change to the KPK Law need only concern placing the KPK within the judicial branch. So the institutions within the judicial branch would comprise the Supreme Court and the KPK. Both the Supreme Court and the KPK would stand independently within the judicial branch,” he added.
Former Investigator Supports Old Version of KPK Law
Former KPK investigator Yudi Purnomo Harahap responded to the views on reverting the KPK Law to its original version. Yudi supported the proposal to restore the KPK’s dignity.
“Reverting to the old version is like doing a factory reset on a mobile phone. It means everything goes back to normal,” Yudi said when contacted on Sunday (15 February 2026).
Yudi said the KPK Law revision had weakened the anti-corruption body. He expressed hope that anti-corruption efforts could be maximised by reinstating Law Number 30 of 2002 on the KPK.
“Starting from the KPK’s strong authority, as it once had when it arrested many high-ranking officials in this country. KPK leaders who have integrity and courage, unafraid of corruptors. And also independent KPK staffing, not in the form of civil servants as it is now,” he said.
“The KPK’s current weaknesses are very clear as a result of the KPK Law revision, which was rejected by the public — many university students demonstrated against it, as did civil society,” Yudi added.
He also hoped that the issue of reinstating Law Number 30 of 2002 would continue to be championed. He said Jokowi’s support constituted a moral responsibility, given that the KPK Law revision occurred during his administration.
“Therefore, if it truly reverts — and I also agree with returning to the old law — at least the hope for brighter anti-corruption efforts will be realised, especially as our CPI has also currently plummeted by three points from 37 to 34, on par with Nepal,” he said.
“Regarding Pak Jokowi’s agreement, I believe it is also his moral responsibility, given that the KPK Law revision occurred while he was president,” he added.