The KPK planned to detain Setya Novanto for next 20 days. President Joko Widodo asked Novanto to abide by the legal process.
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Kompas/Lasti Kurnia
Setya Novanto is placed in an ambulance at Medika Permata Hijau Hospital, Jakarta, Friday (17/11). Setya’s lawyer, Fredrich Yunandi, said the House of Representatives speaker had been moved to RSCM Hospital because the MRI facilities at Medika Permata Hijau Hospital were broken.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) planned to detain House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Setya Novanto for next 20 days. The detention, however, was cancelled as Novanto was sick. In connection with this, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo asked Novanto to abide by the legal process.
"I ask Pak Setya Novanto to abide by the legal process. I believe the legal process in our country runs well," President Jokowi said after attending a get-together at Nusantara IV building, Jakarta, Friday (17/11).
A similar hope was disclosed by Vice President Jusuf Kalla after inaugurating At-Taqwa Mosque, Mariners Corps Command Headquarters, Jakarta, Friday. "The [legal process] should not be affected, usually [Novanto] recuperates quickly," he said.
The Vice President stressed that the law would be upheld. Each citizen has to abide by the law, including Novanto. "Claiming to be sick has to be checked by KPK itself. The truth of information from the hospital also needs to be checked because many (suspects) hide behind statements of doctors," he said.
A detention warrant against Novanto was issued by the KPK when Novanto was moved from Medika Permata Hijau Hospital, Jakarta, to Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM). Novanto was treated after being involved in a traffic accident on Thursday evening. The naming of Novanto as a suspect by the KPK was strongly opposed by Novanto\'s lawyers so that the minutes of detention, which were signed by KPK investigators and two witnesses from Medika Permata Hijau Hospital, were handed over to Novanto’s wife, Deisti Astriani Tagor.
Novanto\'s lawyer Fredrich Yunadi said the KPK could not detain someone without an investigation, let alone when the man was in poor condition. "It’s a violation of international human rights," Yunadi said.
In response to this stance, the investigators then made a detention opposition report that was also not signed by Novanto\'s side. When it was decided to postpone the detention when Novanto was already in RSCM, Novanto\'s side again refused to sign the detention postponement report.
"We continue to coordinate with the doctors and the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) on the development of his (Novanto\'s) condition. When his condition is fit to be questioned and fit to stand trial, further steps will be carried out," said KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah at the KPK building.
When he was treated in RSCM, Novanto underwent a computed tomography scan (CT-Scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Bimanesh Sutarjo, a doctor responsible for taking care of Novanto at the Medika Permata Hijau Hospital, said besides suffering from wounds on his left temple and scratches on his neck and hands, Novanto entered the Medika Permata Hijau Hospital in the state of severe high blood pressure.
Yunadi said there was no intention to move the medical treatment of Novanto overseas. "Because RSCM is classified in Type A in Indonesia, tools here are the most sophisticated in Indonesia and its doctors are far better than those overseas," he said.
Obstructing investigation
With regard to the legal process against Novanto, Febri reminded all parties not to carry out efforts that have the potential to hinder the investigation. The Law on the Eradication of Corruption Crimes regulates taking action against those who try to obstruct an investigation through various ways.
"We\'ve received complaints from the community related to the parties violating Article 21 of the Law on the Eradication of Corruption Crimes. We will examine and analyze information being given," Febri said.
Meanwhile, pressure for the Central Executive Board (DPP) of Golkar Party to immediately take action to salvage the party in response to the legal case, which involves Novanto, the general chairman of Golkar Party, starts to be echoed by caretakers of the provincial levels.
"The legal case that involves Novanto has reduced the electability of Golkar. In West Java, in the last one month, the electability fell by up to 6 percent. Moreover, public opinion addressed to Golkar was always negative. Therefore, if they love the party, all elements in the party have to jointly taken steps to salvage the party," said Dedi Mulyadi, head of the Regional Executive Board (DPD) of the West Java chapter of Golkar Party.
Deputy Secretary General of Golkar Pary\'s DPP Tubagus Ace Hasan Syadzily said the DPP had not held a special meeting to discuss the latest development in Novanto\'s case. Golkar’s DPP is still observing Novanto\'s health and legal troubles.
Deputy Chairman of the Expert Board of Golkar Party\'s DPP Mahyudin said the DPP might hold a meeting next week to take strategic steps. However, according to Mahyudin, it will not discuss replacing the general chairman, but rather strategic steps to ensure the party remains solid.
"This is not the first time Golkar has experienced a problem like Novanto. When it was chaired by Akbar Tandjung, Golkar also experienced a similar situation. So, now it is wise if the party remains solid," he said.
