Puteh case a test for anticorruption body

Puteh case a test for anticorruption body

Despite the differences between Megawati Soekarnoputri and
Amien Rais, the two have at least agreed on one thing -- the need
to suspend Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Governor Abdullah Puteh until
he is cleared of corruption allegations.

What is strange, however, is Minister of Home Affairs Hari
Sabarno, who has requested that the Corruption Eradication
Commission (KPK) give Puteh more time to respond to the summons
he was served. Even worse is Hari's request that Puteh's case be
investigated by only one body -- either the police or the KPK.

Hari's requests are peculiar, first because the KPK is a
relatively new body, which was established because of a feeling
of distrust toward the police and the prosecutor's office, and
second, because his move actually interferes with efforts to
uphold the law.

A public official who has been named a suspect in a criminal
case does not deserve protection. He should instead be removed
from his post, or even detained, to facilitate questioning.

This is a significant test on whether or not the commission
has the guts to investigate the corruption.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta