MPR speaker wants ruling on graft

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Hidayat Nur Wahid called on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Wednesday to immediately issue a government regulation in lieu of law (Perpu) on an anticorruption drive.

Hidayat said the government regulation would be of great significance in supporting the ongoing campaign against corruption. The issuance of the regulation would reflect the state of emergency the country was facing in dealing with rampant corruption.

He said the government's plan to issue a presidential decree on the fight against corruption was not sufficient.

"The decree shows that the government is committed to eradicating corruption, but it would be better if the government issues a Perpu, which in itself would deter would-be corrupters," he said. -- JP