While there is nothing illegal in President Joko Widodo's appointment of National Democratic Party politician H.M. Prasetyo as the country's attorney general, we have several valid questions to ask.
First, despite all Joko's rhetoric about wanting to reform Indonesia's legal system to cleanse it of corruption and abuses of power, why did he appoint a politician from one of his Awesome Indonesia Coalition parties? Why not appoint a figure that will be independent from all political interest?
The Attorney General's Office badly needs a total overhaul without delay. The institution, which has been rated as one of the country's most corrupt offices, needs a revolution – not merely a business as usual approach – and a politician as its head is the last thing it needs.
The institution needs someone like the president himself, and while finding such a person is not easy, the country can still offer a much better, a more capable and cleaner figure. One previous AGO head, Baharuddin Lopa, for instance, was allegedly murdered because of his tough stance and commitment to justice.
Second, we know that behind Prasetyo is Nasdem chairman Surya Paloh. It has been widely reported that he wanted the post for his party. It was confirmed by Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto that Prasetyo's appointment was made after intense talks between the president and Nasdem's chairman Surya Paloh, a media mogul and tycoon.
No one can underestimate the power of the AGO. The institution can even influence the Corruption Eradication Commission because the two work together in investigations and court proceedings.
What if Surya Paloh is implicated in a corruption scandal or legal problems? Or worse, what if he uses the AGO as his vehicle to punish his enemies?