Academics Side With Antigraft Agency Amid House Inquiry
Jakarta. Hundreds of academics have declared their support for the antigraft agency amid a controversial move by the House of Representatives.
In a press release, Professor Muhadjir Darwin from Gadjah Mada University's faculty of social and political sciences said that the declaration was triggered by Amien Rais's endorsement of the House's application of a right of inquiry into the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), after lawmakers from the National Mandate Party (PAN) – which he founded – were named as suspects in the electronic identity cards (e-KTP) graft case.
Amien, who also helped in establishing KPK, has publicly called it a "rotten" institution.
"These two statements have not decreased the public's support for KPK, but only solidified it further, including the support from Indonesian professors," Muhadjir said.
The declaration was signed by 153 professors from universities across the country on Monday (19/06).
Muhadjir said it was high time to eradicate corruption from Indonesia.
In the declaration, the academics called on party leaders and members of the House to abandon the inquiry, deeming it legally unsound.
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