REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The National Mandate Party (PAN) and Democratic Party factions have proposed that the plenary session to decide the fate of Com. Gen. Budi Gunawan be delayed and the House of Representatives leaders consult the President.

Speaking at the House's plenary session here Thursday, the Democratic Party faction member Benny K. Harman said the appointment of Com. Gen. Budi Gunawan as national police chief will damage Indonesia's image because it will be the first time in the country's history that a suspect in a corruption case will be made police chief.

Budi Gunawan was recently nominated by President Joko Widodo as the sole candidate for national police chief.

However, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named him suspect in a graft case on Tuesday (15/1), a day before he met with the members of the House's Commission III for a fit-and-proper test required of candidates for the post of national police chief.

The House commission members overseeing law and human rights passed Budi in the test. However, the House's plenary session will make a final decision on his fate.

Benny K. Harman observed that Budi Gunawan's status as a graft suspect will cost him people's trust.

"Thus, what we need to do now is further study and understand the KPK's allegation," he said, adding that incumbent Police Chief General Sutarman can remain in his post until this process is done.

According to Harman, if the House and President Joko Widodo ignore the KPK's findings, it will ruin the images of the House as well as the president in the eyes of the people, because they were perceived to have withdrawn their support for eradicating corruption.

Meanwhile, the PAN faction has proposed that the plenary session be delayed and the House leaders discuss the matter with the head of state.

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