President: I cannot interfere in KPK-police conflict

Jakarta, NU Online
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said here on Wednesday he could not interfere in the conflict between anti-graft body KPK and the police because it had now become a matter in the legal domain.

"If I interfere, I would no longer be impartial before the law," he said at a press conference after a limited cabinet meeting at his office.<>

He said his non-interference did not mean that he was shirking his responsibility over the problem because he had from the beginning asked the two institutions as well as the attorney general`s office not to clash with regard to anti-corruption efforts.

"I would only advise that the police provide sufficient initial evidence before leveling charges against KPK officials. They must be sure the evidence is strong," he said.

He said the advice also applied to KPK which was now still examining the alleged involvement of a ranking police officer in a legal case. He said there must be strong evidence and a transparent, accountable and professional process.

The president said the legal process of the KPK officials must also be transparent for the public to follow, professional and accountable, the more so , because the KPK officials concerned would have to be suspended (from their positions).

President Yudhoyono said on July 13, 2009 he had held a meeting with the KPK, the police and the attorney general`s office to assure that they would not clash in carrying out their duties.

"Frictions will only disrupt corruption eradication and the different institutions could end up being pitted against each other because of those frictions," he said.

Regarding the status of two KPK officials who had been declared suspects by the police, the President said that he would soon issue a decision for their suspension in line with the law and after an official notification from the police.

"I have not received a letter from the police chief but today it would be sent to me. After I have received the letter (I would issue the decision) in accordance with the law," he said.

He said he would seek a solution with regard to filling the seats left empty following the suspension of three KPK leaders.

"I am seeking the right legal construction to prevent a void in the KPK leadership so that the institution can continue to work," he said.

Regarding the replacement of the three KPK leaders if they were later named defendants and thus dismissed from their posts, the President said that it still had yet to be discussed with the leadership of the House of Representatives, the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court. (ant)