Bantul, Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - Muhammadiyah supports the presidents decision to set up an independent team to settle the ongoing tensions between the police and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), former chairman of the Islamic organization, Syafii Maarif, said.

While delivering a speech at Muhammadiyah University here on Monday, he praised President Joko Widodos action and choice of members for the team.

Maarif, who is a revered Muhammadiyah figure, is among the chosen team members.

According to a selected member, the team is expected to keep the president abreast of the aspirations of the people, who have expressed their support to eradicate corruption. Maarif affirmed that his organization would work toward this end.

"The statement made by former deputy national police chief Oegroseno (the team member) is apt. He pointed out that the arrest of KPK commissioner Bambang Wijojanto was unlawful. I am glad to know that the police force still has officers like him," Maarif remarked.

"I respected him greatly. Hopefully, the president will pay heed to peoples aspirations. Also, Muhammadiyah, with its principle of fighting vices and promoting virtues, will not sit idle, but will be at the vanguard to support the fight against corruption," he observed.

Furthermore, the rector of the university, Professor Bambang Cipto, hailed Maarifs rhetoric, stating that all academicians and civitas academica of Muhammadiyah University must support the anti-graft body so it can continue to put in its best efforts towards fighting corruption, which corresponds with Muhammadiyahs ideals.

"We, the academicians and civitas academica of Muhammadiyahs higher learning institutions, extend our support to the KPK so it can continue to work maximally towards fighting corruption in line with Muhammadiyahs ideals," he stated.

Cipto added that civitas academica of the university expressed their concern over the rivalry between the two law enforcement agencies, fearing that it would eventually benefit only corrupters.

Muhammadiyah is one of the countrys main Islamic organizations.

Moreover, leader of Muhammadiyahs Aisyiyah Womens Wing Organization Noordjanah Dohantini pointed out that the KPK had the complete support of her side.

More than 1.5 million members of Aisyiyah from across the country hope that no party disrupts efforts towards freeing the country of corruption.

With regard to this wish, Dohantini noted that Aisyiyah opposes any kind of criminalization of a KPK member by any party.

KPK commissioner Bambang Wijojanto was recently named a suspect by the police in connection with a legal case in 2010 when he was a lawyer.

Wijojanto was caught on Friday (January 23) morning on his way home after taking his child to an elementary school in Depok, West Java. He was taken to the police headquarters for questioning and released only at 1.30 a. m. on Saturday.

The KPK had earlier named national police chief candidate Commissioner General Budi Gunawan as a suspect over an alleged case of corruption. Due to the KPKs decision, President Joko Widodo decided to postpone Gunawans inauguration as the new police chief to replace General Sutarman, despite the parliaments approval of Gunawans candidacy.
(Uu.INE/KR-BSR/B003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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