What’s Next After the Red-Handed Arrests?

KOMPAS/ALIF ICHWAN

Purbalingga Regent Tasdi (center) wears a detention outfit and greets others after being examined by Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators for 14 hours at the KPK building in Jakarta on Tuesday (5/6/2018). Tasdi was arrested by the KPK along with five others, namely local officials of the Purbalingga regency administration and private parties, over alleged bribery in infrastructure projects in Purbalingga regency, Central Java.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has continued to launch operations in which it arrests a number of regional heads. The corruption virus has rampantly spread everywhere.

The last arrest by the KPK was against Purbalingga Regent Tasdi on Monday, June 4, 2018. Tasdi was named a suspect and detained by the KPK. He greeted onlookers using the heavy metal hand sign after being examined by the KPK. Tasdi was arrested along with other local officials and private parties. Previously, the KPK also named Blitar Mayor Muhammad Samanhudi Anwar and Tulungagung Regent Syahri Mulyo suspects. More than 10 regional heads have been arrested by the KPK throughout 2018.

The regional heads, who were democratically elected, were arrested by the KPK for accepting bribes from third parties. In other more “sophisticated” terms, bribery is often referred to as a gratuity or commitment fee or commission, or grateful money – anything that is obscure in meaning. In the layman\'s language, such bribery is corruption!

Amid a variety of efforts by the political elite to weaken the KPK in various ways, we support the KPK’s efforts to arrest those who use their position for personal or group interests. It should be suspected that the regional heads took advantage of their positions to accept bribes from third parties.

Accepting bribes by abusing positions and authority is a betrayal of the oath of office and violation of the law. However, we also question what the next step will be after the red-handed arrests are made by the KPK. It is clear that a legal court process must be held, but what will be the steps to prevent the practice of bribery from continuing to happen?

The KPK and the Home Ministry should have identified the root cause of the bribery. The majority of corruption in Indonesia is accepting bribes! If the reality is so, there should be a road map on how to overcome bribery; a massive campaign informing that bribery is corruption should be carried out. The government and the KPK must constantly fight against bribery. Anyone who is involved in a bribery, either the giver or the recipient, will be punished!

Then, the Home Ministry should instruct regional heads to no longer accept bribes, while improving system of prevention. As the KPK is constantly conducting arrest operations, such a system is needed. Without any improvements to the system, bribes will continue to occur. The red-handed arrests have not created a deterrent effect.

We propose that investigators conduct a forensic audit on matters pertaining to the bribe givers. Tracking bribery and corruption is easier when done by investigating the bribe givers. Thoroughly examining financial statements and, if necessary, e-mail conversations will allow investigators to track the flow of bribery funds.

With the simultaneous measures through the declaration that bribery is corruption, forensic audits and system improvement, we are sure that bribes will decrease in stages. In order to do that, an attitude of consistency and support from the public are badly needed.