Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is rejecting the draft bill on the revision of the KPK law, saying that it contains provisions that will weaken the antigraft body.
Learning of the latest draft proposed by a majority of House of Representatives' factions, KPK deputy chairman Laode Muhammad Syarif said the articles in the bill are mostly aimed at cutting the antigraft body's authority.
"The draft bill aims to weaken. More than 90 percent [of its contents] do not strengthen the KPK," he told reporters on Wednesday.
Laode cited as an example Article 12a in the bill, which stipulates new requirements to conduct wiretapping. The article not only requires the KPK to request a permit from a supervisory board to conduct a wiretap, it also limits a wiretapping period to only three months with a single possible extension.
The bill also raises the minimum amount of state losses that triggers a KPK investigation to Rp 25 billion (US$1,83 million). Currently, the antigraft body can proceed on a corruption case that incurs Rp 1 billion ($73,000) in state losses. Laode said the amount of state losses should not become a basis to limit a KPK investigation.