As a result of the extortion case, two KPK detention centers were deactivated

The dismissal of 66 KPK employees resulted in the deactivation of two KPK branch detention centers located at Puspomal and Pomdam Jaya.

The Commission for the Eradication of Corruption inaugurated the operations of the prisoners state class 1 East Jakarta branch Rutan KPK, which is located behind the KPK building, Kuningan, South Jakarta, Friday (6/10/2017).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The dismissal of 66 civil servants in the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) due to their involvement in extortion against prisoners in KPK detention centers had a lasting impact. The anti-corruption institution was forced to deactivate two detention centers in the Navy Military Police Center and Kodam Jayakarta Military Police and relocate prisoners to cells in the old KPK building and the Merah Putih building in Jakarta.

The Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK)'s decision to fire 66 employees involved in extortion resulted in a number of positions in a number of prisons at the anti-corruption agency being vacant. Therefore, according to the Head of the KPK News Department, Ali Fikri, the KPK needs 66 replacement employees to work in the security department, guarding prisoners and for the KPK detention center.

Currently, according to Ali, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has received 214 new employees from the civil servant candidate selection (CPNS) in 2023. However, these new employees still have to undergo orientation and induction periods before they can be assigned.

KOMPAS/PRAYOGI DWI SULISTYO

Head of the KPK News Section, Ali Fikri

Therefore, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) decided to only activate the branch detention centers located in the Merah Putih building and the Center for Anti-Corruption Education (C1) or the old KPK building. "Specifically for the detention centers in POM AL (Puspomal) and Pomdam Jaya Guntur, they are temporarily deactivated. All the detainees will be moved to the Merah Putih detention center and C1 (Center for Anti-Corruption Education)," said Ali on Sunday (28/4/2024).

If the KPK detention center at the Merah Putih building and the KPK Anti-Corruption Education Center are full, according to Ali, the KPK will coordinate with the police to be able to detain inmates at the Polda Metro Jaya detention center or police stations in the Greater Jakarta area. The KPK will reactivate the Puspomal and Pomdam Jaya Guntur branch detention centers if there are adequate personnel.

Although two KPK detention centers were deactivated, Ali ensured that the case handling process in the KPK would not be disrupted. This is because the detention center is only one part of the support system in enforcement.

Specifically for the (prison) in POM AL (Puspomal) and Pomdam Jaya Guntur, they are temporarily deactivated. All of their prisoners were relocated to Merah Putih and C1 detention centers.

Separately, the Vice Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for the 2015-2019 period, Saut Situmorang, reminded that the existence of the KPK detention center is quite important. This is because the KPK's task is to investigate and prevent corruption. In investigation, the KPK must demand individuals and before the investigative results are declared complete, the KPK must detain suspects.

He revealed that there was an idea to detain KPK prisoners in the detention center owned by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. However, the proposal was rejected because it could have a negative impact. Since the beginning of its establishment, KPK has had its own detention center to provide a deterrent effect and its enforcement can be further improved.

The suspects are being held in the KPK detention center for efficient handling of the case. In addition, detainees placed in detention centers outside of KPK have a greater risk, such as facing threats from certain parties.

Thorough evaluation

Transparency International Indonesia researcher, Izza Akbarani, reminded that there must be a comprehensive evaluation regarding the management of the KPK's detention center. Because, illegal levies have actually been rampant in the detention center where corruption suspects are being held. The number of employees involved in extortion cases against the KPK is also quite large, reaching 93 people.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

A group of employees from the Corruption Eradication Commission detention center were exposed for their detention at the KPK Juang Building, Jakarta, Friday (15/3/2024).

The total amount of extortion money is also quite large, reaching IDR 6.3 billion. Out of the 66 employees who were fired, 15 of them have been named as suspects of extortion and have been detained.

Izza revealed that the fundamental problem is not only related to detention center management, but the integrity of KPK employees. This is closely related to the implementation of the values ​​at the KPK which must be carried out by KPK personnel. "If the integrity of KPK employees does not exist, how can the public trust this institution?" Izza said.

Specifically, regarding the management of correctional facilities, according to Izza, there needs to be an evaluation of the existing supervision. If we look at the number of employees involved, the mode of illegal collection is already very systematic and structured.

Also read: Eradicating Internal Corruption, KPK Fires 66 Employees Involved in Extortion

In this monitoring process, reporting and complaint mechanisms related to fraud within the Corruption Eradication Commission must be tightened. He emphasized that protection for whistleblowers and complaint resolution mechanisms must be improved.