Former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) leaders (from left), Adnan Pandu Praja, M Zulkarnain, Taufiqurachman Ruki, Erry Riyana Hardjapamengkas, Tumpak Hatorangan Panggabean and Chandra Hamzah, address reporters at the KPK building in Jakarta on Friday (7/7). In the address, they stated their support for the steps taken by the KPK.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The key to success in the effort to eradicate corruption is in the head of state. Related to that, the stance of President Joko Widodo on the inquiry from the House of Representatives (DPR) into the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), which has the potential to weaken or even dissolve the anti-corruption institution, is very important.
"We need a strong leader who is committed to corruption eradication. It is time for the President to show his commitment to fighting corruption," said the former chairman of the KPK Taufiqurrahman Ruki.
Former KPK leaders held a get-together at the KPK Building on Friday (7/7).
Besides Ruke, Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, Tumpak H Panggabean, Chandra Hamzah, Bibit Samad Rianto, Busyro Muqoddas, Zulkarnaen, Adnan Pandu Praja, Bambang Widjojanto, Indriyanto Senoadji and Johan Budi also attended.
A number of institutions were formed in the eras of the Old Order and the New Order to eradicate corruption. However, the political condition and the lack of commitment in eradicating corruption made the institutions short-lived.
According to Ruki, the willingness and commitment of all elements of society is badly needed in combating corruption. This is because the pressure will always arise from those who are disturbed by efforts to eradicate corruption, as the KPK is doing now.
Pressure against eradicating corruption is now felt from the House Inquiry Committee. Deputy Secretary General of the Democratic Party Didi Irawadi said that the step of the inquiry committee to meet a number of corruption convicts in Sukamiskin Penitentiary, Bandung, on Thursday, exposed the motive of the inquiry committee, namely to weaken the KPK.
"The action of the inquiry committee builds the impression that the rights of the corruption convicts were violated, rather than focus on their terrible acts harmed the state and society," he said.
Rallies
A rejection of the inquiry committee yesterday was also expressed through a rally at the House complex. The rally was attended by various groups, such as the University of Indonesia Alumni Association (Iluni UI), UI Student Executive Board, Bandung Institute of Technology Student Family, Anti-corruption Movement Across Universities and the Jakarta Artists Forum (Formanja).
In his speech, Iluni UI chairman Arief Budhy Hardono disclosed five Iluni UI statements. The statements rejected the intervention into the law enforcement process carried out by the KPK; refused efforts to weaken the KPK through the inquiry; urged the KPK to solve the electronic ID card case; and asked President Joko Widodo to take a firm stance against efforts to weaken the eradication of corruption.
Meanwhile, Formanja chairman Hardi Danuwijoyo said the steps of the inquiry committee showed that it was not representative of the people because the public does not doubt the performance and commitment of the KPK to combating corruption in Indonesia.
Some 19 academics from the University of Ibnu Chaldun and four members of Iluni UI also met with the inquiry committee at the House complex to express their support to the House of Representatives.
"We hope the committee can ensure that corruption eradication in the KPK is done honestly, fairly and transparently," said the rector of the University of Ibnu Chaldun, Musni Umar.
Amid the various polemics related to its existence, the inquiry committee has opened up the possibility of visiting Pondok Bambu Penitentiary in East Jakarta.
An inquiry committee member from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Masinton Pasaribu, said the KPK will be briefed after the committee completes its gathering of material in the investigation. If the KPK does not want to answer a summons from the committee, the KPK will be forcibly called with the help of the police.
The investigation will go on until September to meet the mechanism for the first 60 days of an investigation as regulated in Law No. 17 of the People\'s Consultative Assembly (MPR), DPR, the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) and Regional Legislative Councils (DPRD).
"Within 60 days this must be finished," said Masinton.
