Looking Back at the KPK Pansel and the Ups and Downs of Commissioners from Ruki to Firli

This is the list of the panel of candidates for KPK leadership since the first period. Some of the leadership elements produced led to problems.

KOMPAS/WISNU WIDIANTORO

President Joko Widodo welcomed the selection committee (pansel) of candidates for the leadership of the Corruption Eradication Commission, which was led by Destri Damayanti (not visible), to report on the selection results at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday (1/9/2015). The selection committee submitted eight names of candidates for the leadership of the Corruption Eradication Commission who passed the selection process to the President. The eight names are Saut Situmorang, Surya Chandra, Alexander Marwata, Basaria Panjaitan, Agus Rahardjo, Sujanarko D, Johan Budi SP, and Laode Syarif.

The formation of a selection committee for candidates for leadership of the Corruption Eradication Commission for the 2024-2029 period will be announced in the middle of this month. This was confirmed by Presidential Special Staff Coordinator Anak Agung Gde Ngurah Ari Dwipayana when contacted in Jakarta, Thursday (9/5/2024). The panel members will total nine people, consisting of five people from government elements and four people from community elements.

Based on Kompas's records, the formation of a selection committee (pansel) for KPK leadership candidates has been carried out since the first period. President Megawati Soekarnoputri signed Presidential Decree Number 73 of 2003 concerning the Establishment of a Selection Committee for Candidates for Leadership of the Corruption Eradication Commission after a long delay. Megawati signed it on September 21 2003.

The chairman of the selection committee for candidates for leadership of KPK for the first period was Romli Atmasasmita, deputy chairman I Abdul Gani Abdullah, deputy chairman II Adnan Buyung Nasution, and secretary Abdul Wahid.

Ten other members are Loebby Loqman, Komaruddin, Harkristuti Harkrisnowo, Director General of Budget at the Ministry of Finance Anshari Ritonga, Criminal Director of the Supreme Court Moegihardjo, Deputy Attorney General for Intelligence Basrief Arif, Head of the Legal Division of the Indonesian National Police Inspector General Sukamto, Andi Hamzah, Todung Mulya Lubis, and Indriyanto Seno Adji.

After assessing their capabilities and appropriateness, the DPR Commission II selected five out of 10 candidates for the leadership of the KPK. The selected individuals are Taufiequrachman Ruki (former police officer/member of DPR), Amien Sunaryadi (former official of the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP)/Indonesian Transparency Society), Sjahruddin Rasul (former Deputy of BPKP), Tumpak Hatorangan Panggabean (former prosecutor), and Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas (former CEO of PT Timah). Ruki was chosen to be the Chairman of the KPK in the first period.

Also read: Hopes for the Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Committee

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Former KPK leadership figures, namely M Jasin, Mas Achmad Santosa, Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, Basaria Panjaitan, Taufiequrachman Ruki, Zulkarnain, Waluyo, and Laode M Syarif (from left to right), gathered and expressed their stance regarding the development of the national situation ahead of the 2024 General Election at the Anti Corruption Learning Center KPK building in Jakarta on Monday (5/2/2024).

Antasari's election and case engineering

The selection committee for the leaders of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) period 2007-2011 was led by the Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment, Taufiq Effendi. The committee, established by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and designated by Presidential Decree Number 9 of 2007, consisted of 15 people.

The position of deputy chairman is held by former Chief of the Jakarta Metro Police Inspector General (Ret.) MH Ritonga. The position of deputy chairman II is held by former Chairman of the Joint Team for Corruption Eradication, Adi Andojo. The secretary position is held by Deputy Minister of State for Administrative Reform and Bureaucratic Reform Oversight, Gunawan Hadisusilo.

The selection committee for the leaders of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) period 2007-2011 was led by the Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment, Taufiq Effendi. The committee, established by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and designated by Presidential Decree Number 9 of 2007, consisted of 15 people.

The members of the panel for this period are Rhenald Kasali (management and marketing expert), Felia Salim (former Deputy Head of IBRA for Banking Restructuring), Syafii Maarif (former Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah), Komarudin Hidayat (Chancellor of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah and former Chair of the Election Supervisory Committee), Mas Ahmad Santosa (Coordinator of the Legal and Judicial Reform Program Partnership for Government Reform in Indonesia), Hikmahanto Juwana (Dean of the UI Faculty of Law), Ichlasul Amal (Chair of the Press Council), Daniel Sparringa (sociologist from Airlangga University Surabaya) , Fajrul Falakh (National Law Commission), Nyoman Suwanda (former Deputy Attorney General), and Frans Alexander Wospakrik (former Chancellor of Cenderawasih University).

The issue of air pollution is not something new. The condition of the community being threatened by air pollution has been going on for a long time. There is also a vast amount of research evidence that indicates the threats of air pollution's impacts. However, this has not been able to trigger significant efforts to control air pollution. Consequently, residents are increasingly suffering while living amid air pollution. The five elected leaders of KPK are Antasari Azhar (prosecutor), Chandra M Hamzah (lawyer), Bibit Samad Rianto (police), M Jasin (KPK), and Haryono Umar (BPKP). Antasari became the chairman of KPK. However, in 2010, Antasari's position was replaced by Chairman of the Judicial Commission M Busyro Muqoddas on December 20, 2010. Antasari was dismissed from his position as chairman and KPK member on October 11, 2009, due to being accused of premeditated murder of PT Putra Rajawali Banjaran Director Nasrudin Zulkarnaen.

The next selection committee was formed only to find a replacement for Antasasi and was led by Patrialis Akbar, who at that time was the Minister of Law and Human Rights.

The next selection committee was formed solely to find a replacement for Antasasi and was led by Patrialis Akbar, who at that time was the Minister of Law and Human Rights. Irjen (Ret.) MH Ritonga and H Soeharto were the vice chairs. The secretary also served as a member, Ahmad Ubbe. The members of the selection committee were Rhenald Kasali, Ichlasul Amal, Tb Ronny R. Nitibaskara, Saldi Isra, Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, Akhiar Salmi, Amir Hasan Ketaren, Imam Prasodjo, and Deliana Sajuti Ismudjoko.

Two names selected by the selection committee as the chairman and member of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) are Busyro Muqoddas and Bambang Widjojanto, who were appointed in November 2010. Based on the Constitutional Court's ruling, Busyro's tenure was extended until 2014.

Duet by Abraham Samad-Bambang Widjojanto

Next, the selection committee for the leadership candidates of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for the 2011-2015 period was chaired by Minister of Law and Human Rights Amir Syamsuddin. The members of the committee included Farouk Muhammad and Imam Prasojo. This committee produced Abraham Samad as the Chairman of the KPK. He was accompanied by Bambang Widjojanto, Adnan Pandupraja, and Zulkarnain, who were simultaneously elected as KPK leaders, as well as Busyro Muqoddas, who had previously served as Chairman of the KPK.

Samad's position has been replaced by Taufiequrachman Ruki. Samad was suspended due to allegations of abuse of power related to the statement made by PDI Perjuangan politician, Hasto Kristiyanto. Hasto revealed a number of alleged political activities by Samad ahead of the 2014 presidential election.

Samad's position has been replaced by Taufiequrachman Ruki. Samad was suspended due to allegations of abuse of power related to the statement made by PDI Perjuangan politician, Hasto Kristiyanto. Hasto revealed a number of alleged political activities by Samad ahead of the 2014 presidential election.

Nine female characters

The selection committee for the leadership candidates of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for the 2015-2019 period was filled by nine female figures. An economic and financial expert who also serves as Chief Economist at Bank Mandiri, Destry Damayanti, became the head of the selection committee.

Destry is accompanied by Enny Nurbaningsih (Head of National Legal Development Agency, Ministry of Law and Human Rights), Harkristuti Harkrisnowo (Head of Human Resources Development Agency, Ministry of Law and Human Rights/Criminal Law Expert from UI), Betti S. Alisjabana (former General Manager of IBM ASEAN and South Asia/Chair of ITB Board of Trustees), and Yenti Garnasih (expert in economic criminal law and money laundering/criminal law faculty of Trisakti University).

The selection committee for the leadership candidates of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for the 2015-2019 period was filled by nine female figures. An economic and financial expert who also serves as Chief Economist at Bank Mandiri, Destry Damayanti, became the head of the selection committee.

One of the other selection committee members is Supra Wimbarti (expert in human resources and education psychology/Dean of the Faculty of Psychology at UGM), Natalia Subagyo (expert in government governance/Secretary of the Independent Team for Bureaucratic Reform of the Ministry of PAN-RB), Diani Sadiawati (Director of Regulation and Legislation Analysis at Bappenas), and Meuthia Ganie Rochman (expert in corruption sociology and social capital/lecturer at UI's Fisip department).

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI (RAD)

Former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Chairman for the 2015-2019 period, Agus Rahardjo, congratulated the new KPK Chairman for the 2019-2023 period, Firli Bahuri, after the handover and inauguration ceremony of the KPK leadership for the 2019-2023 period at the Merah Putih KPK Building in Jakarta, Friday (20/12/2019). The Supervisory Board of the KPK, led by Tumpak Hatorangan and KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri, officially began their term of duty for the 2019-2023 period.

The five leaders of KPK chosen in this period are Agus Rahardjo, Basaria Panjaitan, Alexander Marwata, Laode M Syarif, and Saut Situmorang. Agus was elected as the Chairman of KPK for the period 2015-2019.

Polemic during Firli's election period

The selection committee for the leadership candidates of the KPK 2019-2023 is chaired by Yenti Garnasih, a lecturer at the Faculty of Law at Trisakti University. Indriyanto Seno Adji, a Professor of Criminal Law at the University of Indonesia, serves as the vice chairman.

The members of the selection committee are Harkristuti Harkrisnowo, Professor of Criminal Law at UI; political psychology expert Hamdi Moeloek; Marcus Priyo Gunarto, Professor of Criminal Law at Gadjah Mada University; Hendardi from Setara Institute; Al Araf from Imparsial; Mualimin Abdi, Director General of Human Rights at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights; and Diani Sadia Wati, Expert Staff at Bappenas.

The selection process for this period has caused controversy. KPK employees have created a petition to reject candidates for KPK leadership positions who have problems. Firli Bahuri, who is a former Deputy for Enforcement of KPK, is indicated to have violated KPK's code of ethics before being returned to the police.

The selection process for this period has caused controversy. KPK employees have created a petition to reject candidates for KPK leadership positions who have problems. Firli Bahuri, who is a former Deputy for Enforcement of KPK, is indicated to have violated KPK's code of ethics before being returned to the police.

Firli was alleged to have played tennis with Tuanku Guru Bajang Zainul Majdi, who at that time was serving as the Governor of West Nusa Tenggara. The meeting occurred during KPK's investigation of corruption allegations related to the divestment of PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara to PT Amman Mineral Internasional, and Zainul was one of the parties required to give testimony.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

President Joko Widodo received a visit from the selection committee for the prospective leaders of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday (2/9/2019). On that occasion, the selection committee officially submitted a list of 10 KPK leader candidates who had been filtered through a series of selections.

Position extended

In this selection process, there has also been controversy over the revision of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Law. The KPK Law revision became a consideration in choosing the KPK leadership candidates. The five selected KPK leaders are Firli Bahuri, Lili Pintauli Siregar, Nawawi Pomolango, Nurul Ghufron, and Alexander Marwata.

Firli was proven to have a relationship with a party involved in a case at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), namely former Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo, in a corruption allegation at the Ministry of Agriculture. Firli's actions are also being investigated by the Jakarta Metropolitan Police for alleged acceptance of gratuities.

Firli has been elected as the Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Various polemics have occurred within the KPK during Firli's leadership. One of which was Firli being declared guilty of a serious ethical violation in December 2023. Firli was proven to have a relationship with parties involved in KPK cases, namely former Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo, in an alleged corruption case at the Ministry of Agriculture. Firli's actions were also investigated by the Jakarta Metropolitan Police regarding alleged acceptance of gratuities. Nawawi was appointed as the temporary Chairman of the KPK to replace Firli.

Also read: Effects of Revision of the Corruption Eradication Commission Law, Internal Corruption Eradication Committee Continues to Have Problems

Before Firli, Lili resigned after allegedly receiving gratuities in the form of accommodation and tickets to watch the Mandalika MotoGP in West Nusa Tenggara. He was also allegedly communicating with the suspended Mayor of Tanjungbalai, North Sumatra, M Syahrial, regarding the settlement of his sister-in-law's employment issue, Ruri Prihatini Lubis, at PDAM Tirta Kualo Tanjungbalai. Lili was replaced by Johanis Tanak, who previously served as the Director of State Administration Affairs at the Deputy Attorney General for Civil and State Administration.

The term of leadership members of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for this period has been extended from four to five years after Ghufron submitted a constitutional review of the KPK Law to the Constitutional Court. Currently, Ghufron is undergoing an ethics trial over allegations of communicating with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture for the purpose of transferring one of the ministry's employees.

During this period, public trust in the Corruption Eradication Committee increasingly eroded. Based on the results of the Kompas R&D survey for the December 2023 period, the KPK's good image was at 47.5 percent, the lowest of the 22 surveys since January 2015. In fact, in the January 2015 survey, the KPK's good image had at 88.5 percent.

Will the current KPK selection committee produce leaders with integrity, courage, and honesty? As mentioned by officials at the palace, the KPK selection committee is important, but it will be far more important if the resulting KPK commissioners are truly committed to honesty, integrity, and courage. Hopefully, this will be the case for this selection committee.