Is Marzuki Alie Aware of His Controversial Statements?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - A statement made by House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Marzuki Alie on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has drawn strong reactions from various parties.

Reactions to Marzuki’s statement proposing the dissolution of the KPK and forgiveness for corrupters came among others from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), politicians, even the House factions, and religious figures. Due to the statement, a number of NGOs grouped in the Civil Society Coalition urged the ruling Democrat Party on Monday to dismiss Marzuki from his post as House speaker.

"Marzuki has made a misleading statement proposing the dissolution of KPK and forgiveness for corrupters. As House speaker he should not have made such a statement," Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) spokesman Emerson Junto said at a press conference at the Legal Aid Institute office here on Monday.

The Civil Society Coalition is made up of among others ICW, Jakarta Legal Aid Institute, Indonesia Legal Aid Institute Foundation (YLBHI), Imparsial, and ELSAM. Emerson said Marzuki had several times made controversial statements in relation to developing issues from the disaster in Mentawai, migrant workers, and the dissolution of KPK.

He added that Marzuki was unwise in his statement that should not have come from the chairman of the institution supposed to represent the Indonesian people

"Marzuki’s statement does not represent the aspiration of the people but of the DPR and even the ruling Democrat Party," Emerson said.

Meanwhile, Jakarta Legal Aid Institute Director Nurkholis Hidayat said Marzuki’s statement would even worsen the image of DPR in the public’s eyes, and lead to public distrust in the state institution. According to Nurkholis, the statement made by the House speaker could be considered as support for corrupters who would obviously be the most happy if the KPK was liquidated.

"Marzuki’s statement contradicts the public’s desire to maintain the KPK and to give the strongest possible punishment to corrupters," Nurkholis said.

Besides calling for Marzuki’s dismissal from his post as House speaker, the Civil Society Coalition also asked all House factions to issue an official statement rejecting the idea of dissolving the KPK and forgiving corrupters.

"The KPK as as an institution should be maintained because it is still needed in the efforts to fight corruption s in Indonesia," Nurkholis said.