Haeril Halim, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo declared war on corruption and called on everyone to support the campaign, in his annual state address on Wednesday in front hundreds of politicians, some of whom have been implicated in graft cases.
"We will become a developed nation that can compete with other countries in the world if we have competitiveness. One of the factors derogating our competitiveness is corruption. This is our common enemy," Jokowi said. "Therefore, I call on members of this respected forum and all people in Indonesia to fight corruption."
Jokowi's remark seemed to surprise House of Representatives Speaker Setya Novanto, who is a suspect in the e-ID graft case that also implicates dozens of politicians.
An ongoing Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigation into the botched e-ID procurement project has prompted the House to launch an inquiry into the antigraft body.
The statement also comes following Jokowi's decision not to assign Setya to read out the sacred proclamation text at the State Palace on Independence Day.
Jokowi has instead given the honor to People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Zulkifli Hasan, which is in line with calls from antigraft activists to not give the honor to Setya on account of his status in the graft case. (ipa)