The President and the KPK

The President issued a Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perpu) to recruit three new leaders for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) last week. This regulation was made after two KPK chairmen, Chandra Hamzah and Bibit Samad Riyanto—who have been charged for alleged crimes—were relieved from active duty. Coordinating Minister for Political & Security Affairs, Widodo A.S., Minster of Justice, Andi Mattalata, former KPK Chairman Taufiequrachman Ruki, Presidential Advisory Council member Adnan Buyung Nasution, and senior lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis have been assigned with finding the three new candidates. Some have been for and against the new Perpu—which is seen as a form of government intervention on the KPK’s independence.