Newly elected Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) commissioners visited the Constitutional Court (MK) on Wednesday (6/1). Chief Justice Arief Hidayat, Deputy Chief Anwar Usman and seven Constitutional Justices welcomed the commissioners Agus Rahardjo, Basaria Panjaitan, Laode M. Syarif, Saut Situmorang and Alexander Marwata in Delegation Room, the Constitutional Court Building.

KPK’s head Agus Rahardjo introduced the new commissioners and asked for cooperation in socializing anti-corruption movement. Therefore, the KPK intended to ‘borrow’ Court’s video conference facility which had been installed in several universities throughout Indonesia, the deputy head Laode M. Syarief added.

“The Constitutional Court has ‘saved’ KPK’s existence by making beneficial judicial review verdicts. As we know, the Court also has broad connection, via video conference, with universities throughout Indonesia. The KPK intends to use Court’s connection and encourages Court’s involvement in order to socialize anti-corruption program,” said Syarief.

Responding KPK’s request, Chief Justice Arief Hidayat said the Court had signed memorandum of understanding with the KPK, therefore the Court ready to help the KPK. “On the basis of the MoU, the Court invites the KPK to use video conference facility,” said him welcoming the request.

Expecting KPK’s presence

Moreover, Constitutional Justices Patrialis Akbar and I Dewa Gede Palguna expressed their expectation for KPK commissioners’ presence and involvement in judicial review sessions concerning Act of the Corruption Eradication Commission. Akbar said that the parties defended the KPK didn’t quite understand the issues sued in judicial review, which might troubled the Court in settling verdict. Commissioners’ presence in judicial review sessions will ease Justices in understanding KPK’s issues, Palguna added. “(former KPK head, ed.) Mr. Taufiqurrahman Ruki was once involved in judicial review session. His presence eased its proceeding,” said Palguna

Responding Justices’ suggestion, the KPK commissioners said that they will be attentive to entire judicial review concerning the commission, particularly on judicial review concerning Act of the KPK. They will consider Justices’ input about their presence for delivering testimony.

Moreover, KPK’s head Rahardjo discussed Court verdict concerning pretrial. He said that many corruption suspects attempted for pretrial due to the verdict. Hence, he asked for Justices’ input for common understanding regarding pretrial issue.

Constitutional Justice Suhartoyo explained that the verdict intended to strengthen law enforcers. He further said, Article 6 and Article 7 the Criminal Procedure Code should be linked with Article 46 Act of the Corruption Eradication Commisison to prevent pretrial attempt. “By linking the Articles, it will close opportunity for pretrial attempt,” said him. (Lulu Anjarsari/Prasetyo Adi N)