REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman Abraham Samad deplored the election of Golkar party's politician Setya Novanto as chairman of the House of Representatives for the 2014-2019 period.

"The anti-graft body regrets the election of Golkar party's politician Setya Novanto as chairman of the House of Representatives for the 2014-2019 period because he has the potential of having legal problems which could damage the image of the House of Representatives as a respected institution," Abraham Samad said here on Thursday.

"Actually KPK expects a House speaker who is clean and not connected with legal cases. But we appreciate the election process," he noted.

However Abraham assured that his institution would have no problem in case it has to investigate Setya Novanto.

"House speaker has no immunity," he emphasized.

Setya Novanto has been questioned as a witness by the anti-graft body in connection with the National Games (PON) in Riau.

Golkar party's politician Setya Novanto had been elected as chairman of the House of Representatives for the 2014-2019 period and his inauguration had been held on Thursday morning at the House of Representatives building in Central Jakarta marked by oath-taking led by Supreme Court chief justice Agung Hatta Ali.

"The job of the chairman of the parliament is tough but very noble. I promise to work hard. I also call on the people to help us by giving constructive criticism that will motivate us to work hard," Setya remarked in his inauguration speech.

During the election process on Thursday morning, Setya Novanto received support from the Red-White Coalition (KMP) in the parliament comprising parties such as the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra), Golkar, Democrat, National Mandate Party (PAN), Prosperous and Justice Party (PKS), and the United Development Party (PPP).

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