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