REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) stated Parliamentary immunity should not be considered as impunity. Spokesperson of KPK, Febri Diansyah said, the anti-graft body has learned the essence of Parliamentary immunity.
"Do not misunderstand Parliament immunity as impunity," Febri said at KPK office on Monday (November 13).
Febri spoke to respond the statement of Setya Novanto's lawyer on the absence of his client in Monday's and previous other hearings of the e-ID card graft case. Parliamentary immunity only applied to House of Representatives members in relation to their duty or statement.
"Therefore, Parliamentary immunity could not protect people who allegedly corrupt or have information about corruption," he explained.
Permission from the president
According to Novanto's lawyer, Frederich Yunadi, advised his client not to appear in the hearing. He said, KPK does not have the rights to summons without permission from the president.
"Article 20A of the Constitution 1945 stated House's members have the rights to speak, inquiry rights, rights to oversee and immunity. Immunity means members of the House are untouchable," Frederich said in Jakarta on Sunday (November 12).
Frederich assessed, KPK has violated the law by insisting to summon. On the other hand, he said, his client was obeying the law by not coming to the court.
On Monday (November 13), Novanto failed to attend the hearing of e-ID card graft case for defendant Anang Sugiana Sudiharja. It was the third time for House speaker to missed the summons to testify as witness for Anang.
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