Corruption Eradication Commission chairman Agus Rahardjo’s statement that a regional election candidate would be named a suspect has triggered controversy and polemic.
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Kompas/Alif Ichwan
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman Agus Rahardjo (right) and House of Representatives Speaker Bambang Soesatyo (left) speak to reporters Monday (12/3) at KPK headquarters in Jakarta.
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman Agus Rahardjo’s statement that a regional election candidate would be named a suspect has triggered controversy and polemic.
Previously, the Attorney General and the National Police chief agreed to delay the legal process until the regional elections concluded. Both institutions agreed to delay the filing of a report of criminal allegations to avoid being accused of politicking ahead of the regional elections.
Agus Rahardjo’s statement on Thursday, March 8, 2018 in Jakarta, with a comment from the Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto, triggered polemic. Wiranto said, “If someone has been officially named as a candidate for the regional elections, as the poll organizer we ask for a delay [in legal process],” Wiranto said at his office on Monday (12/3).
KPK rejected the demand. Wiranto was criticized for obstruction of justice. Thus, there was a war of words between the KPK and the government. It was inappropriate and confusing.
In law enforcement, the KPK should not make a fuss or rhetoric. The KPK should not throw in statements regarding suspects that trigger speculation and wild imagination in the political year. The more statements it makes without materializing anything may harm the KPK’s credibility. The KPK is an institution with a high level of public trust.
Let the legal process proceed. If the evidence is sufficient, it is the right of the KPK to announce one’s suspect status. The people must be educated to vote for a clean candidate.
Yet, the people also want legal procedures to go ahead if someone’s suspect status is announced. Do not create confusion by halting the legal process on the grounds that the evidence and witnesses are insufficient. The KPK must understand that halting the legal process would also create new injustice.
The KPK named a North Maluku gubernatorial candidate a suspect on Friday, March 16, 2018. Ahmad Hidayat Mus, the North Maluku gubernatorial candidate, was named a suspect in relation to a case that goes back to his time as a regent of Sula (2005-2010), along with Zainal Mus, speaker of the Sula Islands Legislative Council (DPRD) for 2009-2014 period. The legal process must be fast and non-discriminatory.
Public criticism toward the KPK is reasonable. The public still remembers several suspects that had been announced by the KPK but the legal process against them has been idle. Pelindo president director RJ Lino who was declared a graft suspect on Dec. 18, 2015 is an example. Legal proceedings did not begin until two years after he was named a suspect. The processing of a case against Garuda president director Emirsyah Satar, whose suspect status was announced on Jan. 19, 2017, has also been slow.
Without clear explanation, the slow processing of corruption cases creates speculation about he KPK. Thus, KPK must enforce the law without making many statements.
