Hifdzil Alim, S.H., M.H., researcher from Centre of Anti-Corruption Studies (PUKAT) UGM, said Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) can re-name Speaker of the House, Setya Novanto, a suspect in Electronic Identity Card corruption case.
“Based on our examination, Corruption Eradication Commission can re-name Novanto with the evidence they have as long as they follow the right procedure of suspect naming,” said Hifdzil on Thursday (19/10).
The statement was delivered during a press conference to announce the examination done by Hifdzil and two other examiners from PUKAT, Fatahilah Akbar, and an advocate, Zahrul Arkom. Hifdzil said the judge’s decision that had approved Setya Novanto’s pre-trial did not necessarily weaken the position of the Corruption Eradication Commission in handling this case.
Regarding the statement of Setya Novanto’s attorney, Fredich Yunadi who will report the Head of Corruption Eradication Commission to the police if his client is renamed a suspect, Hifdzil said the report is not by law thus no need to worry about it. Moreover, if the report is seen as an effort to hinder the investigation of the Commission, they can prosecute it.
However, Hifdzil reminds the Commission not to be hasty in renaming Setya Novanto a suspect and follow the procedure instead.
The statement was also emphasized by Fatahilah. The pre-trial complaint some time ago, according to Fatahilah, became a lesson for law enforcers to act more precisely and carefully during the process of investigation.
In line with the development of this case, PUKAT will continue to research into the legal process that has been running as a form of control and evaluation from the community, particularly academic community. These researchers hope the related parties including Corruption Eradication Commission and the judiciary can pay more attention to the regulations.
“We support corruption eradication efforts, but we also hope the Corruption Eradication Commission can obey the regulations. Therefore, this becomes our concern,” said another researcher, Laras Susanti.