KPK Credibility at Stake

The credibility of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) under the leadership of Comr. Gen. Firli Bahuri is at stake.

KOMPAS/ALIF ICHWAN

Wakil Ketua KPK Lili Pintauli Siregar (kanan) didampingi Ketua Komisi Pemilihan Umum ( KPU), Arief Budiman (kiri) menetapkan Komisioner Komisi Pemilihan Umum Wahyu Setiawan sebagai tersangka kasus suap terkait penetapan anggota DPR 2019-2024 dan menunjukkan barang bukti di gedung KPK, Jakarta, Kamis (9/1/2020).

A statement from KPK acting spokesman Ali Fikri, as quoted by Kompas on Jan. 12 that a KPK team would only carry out an investigation next week, was ridiculous. There were many reactions on social media questioning the KPK\'s statement. The confusing information circulating in public after the arrest of KPU commissioner Wahyu Setiawan and the anticorruption body’s failed search show the indecisiveness of the KPK leaders.

The controversy shows how KPK leaders seem unprepared and stunned after catching alleged graft perpetrators including Wahyu Setiawan. The raid was indeed carried out during a transition period – both a legal transition and leadership transition – at the KPK. For the public, the indecisiveness of the KPK leaders shows they are no longer entirely independent. This perception is not necessarily true and still requires further evidence. The KPK\'s internal consolidation must be done immediately.

So far, the KPK has named KPU commissioner Wahyu Setiawan, Agustiani Tio Fredelina, PDI-P secretary general staffer Saeful Bahri and PDI-P legislative candidate Harun Masiku as suspects. Harun Masiku has not been arrested and is still on the run. The KPK has called on Harun to turn himself in.

We encourage the KPK to continue tracking down whoever was involved in the bribery case involving the KPU commissioner Wahyu Setiawan and who was the mastermind behind the bribery. The KPK also needs to be firm about Harun, who is known to have left Indonesia two days before Wahyu\'s arrest. The authorities need also immediately consider putting Harun on the wanted list (DPO) if there is no indication that Harun will surrender.

KOMPAS/ALIF ICHWAN

KPU commissioner Wahyu Setiawan wears an orange detention vest after undergoing questioning at the KPK building in Jakarta, Friday (10/1/2020) morning. The KPK named four suspects for alleged involvement in a bribery case following an operation on Wednesday (8/1/2020), namely Wahyu, former Bawaslu member Agustiani Tio Fridelina, Harun Masiku and Saeful.

Transparent handling of the case will determine the credibility of the KPU. Whether Wahyu Setiawan worked alone in this bribery case relating to the replacement of a House of Representative member will depend on how the KPK handles the case. We appreciate PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto, who said he was ready if the KPK summoned him for questioning.

A court trial is the most dignified settlement to explain the role and position of each individual involved. Those involved must be held accountable for their actions. Meantime, those who are said to be implicated in the case must also be clearly and legally clarified. Let the court reveal the role of every individual in the case.

The ongoing judicial process will also determine the credibility and integrity of the KPK going forward. Internally, the Corruption Eradication Commission must also immediately improve itself and solve administrative bureaucratic obstacles that could hamper the fight against corruption.