KPK Starts a New Stage

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for the 2019-2023 period Firli Bahuri (from left to right), KPK deputy chairman Alexander Marwata, KPK deputy chairperson Lili Pintauli Siregar, KPK deputy chairman Nawawi Pomolango and KPK deputy chairman Nurul Ghfron read out the integrity pact during the office handover from KPK 2019-2023 leaders at the KPK building, Jakarta, Friday (20/12/2019). The KPK supervisory council, led by Tumpak Hatorangan and KPK chairman Firli Bahuri, has officially begun serving for the 2019-2023 period.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has entered a new phase with the formation of the supervisory council. The presence of the council is quite encouraging because the integrity of its members is recognized. However, skepticism persists.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — After the inauguration of five KPK leaders and five leaders of the Corruption Eradication Commission supervisory council (Dewas KPK) for the 2019-2023 period, Friday (20/12/2019), the KPK has entered a new phase. In the midst of various obstacles, the KPK is expected to continue in its efforts to eradicate corruption systematically and to have a positive impact on the economy and life in general.

Some civil society groups think the Dewas will cause investigations to be prolonged.

On the other hand, KPK leaders will also face internal challenges as a result of the enactment of Law No. 19/2019 as a revision of Law No. 30/2002. Under Law No. 19/2019, which took effect in October, a number of things will change internally within the KPK. What is considered prominent is the establishment of Dewas, which has the authority to give or not give permission for wiretapping and confiscation, and KPK leaders who no longer have the status of investigators and prosecutors. The KPK is also dealing with civil society skepticism.

Yesterday, President Joko Widodo called the formation of Dewas KPK a historic moment in the corruption eradication movement. The President believes KPK leadership will allow the KPK to work even better.

"I hope, once again, the KPK is strengthened . Corruption eradication can be systematic so that it has a good impact on the economy, for our country," said the President after witnessing the oath reading by Dewas members and KPK leaders for the 2019-2023 period at the State Palace, Jakarta.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo congratulates the chairperson of the supervisory council of the Corruption Eradication Commission (Dewas KPK), Tumpak Hatorangan Panggabean, who he has just been installed at the State Palace, Jakarta, Friday (20/12/2019). In addition to Humpangan Panggabean Tumpak, President Joko Widodo also appointed Artidjo Alkostar, Harjono, Syamsuddin Haris and Albertina Ho as members of the Dewas KPK. The establishment of the council is mandated by Law No. 19 of 2019 concerning the KPK.

Sworn in yesterday were Firli Bahuri as chairman and Alexander Marwata, Lili Pintauli Siregar, Nawawi Pomolango, and Nurul Ghufron as deputy chairpersons. The five members KPK Dewas sworn in were Pumpak Hatorangan Panggabean as chairman and Albertina Ho, Artidjo Alkostar, Harjono and Syamsuddin Haris as members.

After being inaugurated, the KPK leaders and Dewas KPK members underwent the handover of positions at the KPK building. The 10 people signed the integrity pact witnessed by four KPK leaders for the 2015-2019 period and KPK employees.

In his remarks, Firli Bahuri said eradicating corruption was not an easy, therefore cooperation was needed, not only internally but also with other law enforcers. To overcome the challenges, the first thing that needs be done by the KPK leadership is improving human resource management and work procedures.

Transparency and accountability must be maintained as this is one of the principles underlying the KPK\'s work.

Tumpak Hatorangan emphasized that communication was the most important thing at the moment. Transparency and accountability must be maintained as this is one of the principles underlying the KPK\'s work. "Several things need to be conveyed to the public, some others are not. But, for the things that are usually open to the public, that cannot change," he said.

Different mechanism

The existence of Dewas KPK is considered to give a hope because its members are recognized figures for their integrity. However, Dewas\' impact on the performance of the KPK was responded skeptically by civil society because the figures exist in a problematic institutional system.

The lecturer of the Indonesian Law School of Jentera, Bivitri Susanti, said that with the enactment of the new KPK Law, investigating corruption cases involves more hands than previously. In the new KPK law, the five KPK leaders no longer have the status of investigators and prosecutors.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

President Joko Widodo meets with members of the supervisory council of the Corruption Eradication Commission (Dewas KPK) and the leaders of the KPK for the 2015-2019 period after swearing them in at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Friday (20/12/2019).

"Will the KPK be better? Not necessarily. Many things will affect the work of the KPK under the new law. The existence of Dewas, even with the current composition, more or less obstructs the work of the KPK, besides the fact that the leaders lose their roles," said Bivitri.

A University of Indonesia criminal law lecturer, Gandjar Laksmana, said that the current members of the Dewas KPK are people who have a good track record. However, in the future systemically, the KPK organization improvement is still needed through the revision of the KPK law. (REK/AGE/HAR/IAN NTA/INA)