A member of the inquiry committee into the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) speaks on Thursday night (6/7) outside Sukamiskin Penitentiary, Bandung, after meeting with graft convicts in relation to the inquiry.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The work of the House of Representatives’ inquiry committee on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) seems unfocused and aimed simply at weakening or even disbanding the anticorruption agency. Thus, a bold move by President Joko Widodo to ensure the existence of KPK is very much needed.
Talk of a House inquiry first emerged after a KPK investigator stated during a hearing in the trial of the electronic identity (e-ID) case that Hanura Party politician Miryam S. Haryani, a witness in the case, had been pressured by House members. Politicians proposed an inquiry after the KPK refused to hand over a recording of the questioning of Miryam to House Commission III, claiming it could obstruct justice.
The House inquiry committee also later met the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) to get an explanation about the BPK audit of KPK records from 2006 to 2016.
The House inquiry committee on Thursday (6/7) also met several corruption convicts at Sukamiskin Penitentiary in Bandung, West Java.
Meanwhile, five professors representing 396 professors from several universities yesterday met Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.
“We hope the state leader, the President, will make a bold statement. This cannot be left uncountered. The President must state that the KPK must not be interfered with,” said Asep Saepudin, the spokesman of the professors.
Those accompanying Asep, who is a professor at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB), were Prof. Sulistiono (IPB) and University of Indonesia professors Riris Sarumpaet, Mayling Oey and Sulistyowati Irianto.
The professors said the establishment of the House inquiry committee was flawed, institutionally, procedurally and methodologically and that any outcome would also be flawed.
Meanwhile, Teten gave assurances that the government would not weaken the KPK. “The commitment of the President is clear. The President will strengthen the KPK and keep it an independent institution,” he added.
National Police commitment
Yesterday, the National Police and the Attorney General’s Office expressed commitment to improving coordination with the KPK to eradicate corruption. They pledged their commitment when welcoming five KPK commissioners led by KPK chairman Agus Rahardjo.
During the silaturahim meeting, the KPK leaders met National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian and a number of National Police leaders, such as National Police deputy chief Comr. Gen. Syafruddin and Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. M. Iriawan.
After the 90-minute meeting with the National Police leaders, the KPK leaders met for an hour with Attorney General HM Prasetyo and several junior attorneys general.
“Through the meeting, we want to send a message to embezzlers to exercise restraint. We want to demonstrate our commitment to reducing corruption in this country,” Agus said after meeting with Prasetyo.
Prasetyo said corruption eradication would be effective only with the coordination and collaboration of all law enforcement agencies, including the KPK.
Meanwhile, Tito said the National Police and KPK needed each other.
Keep working
Agus said the KPK was unperturbed by the maneuvers of the House. He added that the investigation into the e-ID case would continue and other suspects may be found.
Regarding the e-ID case investigation, yesterday the KPK had scheduled the questioning of five people regarding graft suspect Andi Agustinus, alias Andi Narogong. Of the five people, only former House budgeting body member Melchias Markus Mekeng and former House speaker Marzuki Alie showed up. The two both denied knowing Andi and accepting money from the e-ID card procurement project.
One of the five people who did not show up was Agun Gunandjar Sudarsa, chairman of the House inquiry committee. He asked that his questioning be rescheduled.
Agun did not show up for questioning as he was in Bandung to interview graft convicts at Sukamiskin Penitentiary.
After interviewing the corruption convicts, Agun said, “In our opinion, there were threats, intimidation, human rights violations and privacy breaches by KPK investigators. The corruption convicts told us so.”
Agus of the KPK rejected the claim, saying the KPK had records of the questioning of all witnesses and suspects. He said questioning was done in line with legal procedure and human rights principles. “We recorded every questioning session. We can give them access to the recordings,” he said.
Former KPK commissioner Busyro Muqoddas also reassured that KPK investigators worked in accordance with regulations. “A former minister who was questioned told me this and that he appreciated the work of the investigators. So there was no violence,” he said.
