Abraham Samad is no longer the KPK Chief – for the time being

As suspected, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will be without its chief and deputy for the time being. President Joko Widodo will temporarily dismiss KPK Chief Abraham Samad and Deputy Bambang Widjojanto as the two face an ongoing legal process.

President Jokowi said he will issue a presidential decree putting their temporary dismissal into effect.

“Regarding the legal situation of Abraham Samad and Bambang Widjojanto and the emptiness of the KPK leadership, based on the law I have to issue a temporary dismissal for the two leaders,” Jokowi said at a press conference today, as quoted by Jakarta Globe. 

Jokowi added that he has already appointed three temporary replacements for the KPK leadership, Tafiequrachman Ruki, Prof Dr Indrianto Seno Adji and Johan Budi.

Jokowi did not reveal who of the current set of KPK leaders would hold the position of chief. It may well be that the three temporary replacements – as well as the two remaining KPK deputies Adnan Pandu Praja and Zulkarnain – will come up with decisions collegially.

Whether Adnan and Zulkarnain will remain in the KPK for much longer remains in question. The police have also brought up legal cases against the two deputies, which many believe to be in retaliation to the KPK’s decision to name former National Police Chief candidate Budi Gunawan a corruption suspect.

Two of the temporary replacements have had a history with the KPK. Taufiequrachman was the institution’s first ever chairman, and Johan was KPK’s spokesman and more recently the Deputy for Corruption Prevention.

The other replacement, Indrianto Seno Adji, is a law professor at Universitas Indonesia. Worryingly, he was once mentioned to be involved in the infamous Bank Century corruption case. 

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