Civil Society Coalition Pushes for the Formation of a Quality KPK Leadership Committee

The current KPK leadership and supervisory board are a reflection of the selection process in 2019.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Building maintenance officers are fixing the black drapery covering the logo of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) at the Merah Putih Building of the KPK in Jakarta on Tuesday (9/10/2019).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The quality of the leadership selection committee and supervisory board of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will reflect the quality of the KPK leadership and supervisory board for the period 2024–2029. Therefore, Civil Society Coalition encourages the formation of a KPK selection committee that is quality, transparent, and prioritizes meaningful participation from the community.

This position statement was conveyed by representatives of the Civil Society Coalition in Jakarta, Wednesday (8/5/2024).

The former Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Saut Situmorang, said that the quality of the leadership and board of supervisors of KPK in the upcoming period has a heavy task in leading the anti-corruption agency in the midst of massive and structured corruption waves. In addition, as the term of President Joko Widodo is ending soon, the fate of Indonesia's anti-corruption efforts is becoming increasingly worrisome.

Also read: RI's ranking declines in eradicating corruption

This is reflected in the newly launched Corruption Perception Index by Transparency International Indonesia. The score in 2023 shows stagnation compared to the previous year. Indonesia obtained a score of 34 and its ranking dropped from 110 to 115. Looking back, Indonesia's CPI score is now the same as when President Jokowi first took office as president in 2014.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission is inactive, Firli Bahuri, after undergoing an examination at the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police Headquarters, Jakarta, Friday (1/12/2023).

Moreover, a number of KPK leaders for the 2019–2024 period were caught in cases of law and code of ethics, including KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri who was named a suspect in the extortion case against former Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo by Polda Metro Jaya . There is also a case of alleged extortion involving 15 KPK employees.

Also read: Detention of 15 Extortion Suspects at KPK Detention Center Becomes Dark Day for Eradicating Corruption

Therefore, according to Saut, the future leaders and supervisory board of the KPK have a heavy responsibility to restore the values of integrity that can prevent corruption. The nine values adhered to by the KPK are honesty, care, independence, discipline, responsibility, hard work, simplicity, courage, and fairness.

"Until those values are consistently returned in line with its philosophy, whatever is done, whether changing the law, replacing the system, or replacing the people, will still face low corruption perception indices," he said.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

The voice and desires of the community to eradicate corruption are reflected in the mural adorning the walls of Setu District, South Tangerang City, Banten on Sunday (27/8/2023). Although it has been declared an extraordinary crime, in reality, corruption practices still occur frequently.

Before those values are consistently restored according to their philosophy, no matter what is done, whether changing the law, the system, or the people themselves, they will still face low corruption perception indexes.

According to Saut, choosing the KPK leadership and supervisory board is not easy. Assessments using psychological tests and track records are not completely effective. “Psychotesting and track records can be deceptive too. "The psychological test is good, or the track record is good, but it turns out the performance is bad," said Saut.

Therefore, according to him, a new assessment method is needed that can measure a person's understanding of KPK values in addition to their ability and expertise in uncovering legal cases.

Also read: Waiting for the KPK to be Strong Again

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI (RAD)

The Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Corruption Eradication Commission, Tumpak Hatorangan Panggabean (left), and the Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission, Firli Bahuri, during the handover of duties and farewell event for the leadership of the Corruption Eradication Commission 2019-2023 at the Red and White Building of the Corruption Eradication Commission, Jakarta, Friday (20/12/2019).

Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher Kurnia Ramadhana stated that the current leadership and supervisory board of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) are a reflection of the selection process for leadership and supervisory board members in 2019.

"Five years ago, public attention was focused on the selection process for KPK leaders. From the names of the existing candidates, there is no positive tone from the public. "However, we are forced to work with a selection committee that is not participatory," he said.

Also read: KPK continues to decay

He exemplified how the selection committee passed the names of KPK leader candidates who did not have compliance with the State Officials Wealth Report (LHKPN). Although LHKPN reporting is one of the administrative integrity proofs of leader candidates. Therefore, it is not surprising that the selection process resulted in problematic KPK leadership.

To prevent similar cases from happening again, the Civil Society Coalition consisting of Transparency International Indonesia, IM57+ Institute, the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI), and Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) are pushing for the selection committee for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to consider criteria such as track record in corruption eradication and proven integrity.

Also read: Finding a way to recover the Corruption Eradication Commission after its decline

In addition, the Civil Society Coalition urges that the selection and selection process for the panel committee be carried out openly and involve meaningful participation from the community. The Pansel must also be sensitive to three main issues, namely the decline in the independence of the Corruption Eradication Committee following the revision of the 2019 Corruption Eradication Commission Law, reinforcing the Corruption Eradication Committee's function in law enforcement for criminal acts of corruption, and prioritizing the prevention of corruption in the political sector a>.

KOMPAS/NINA SUSILO

The Coordinator of the President's Special Staff, Anak Agung Gde Ngurah Ari Dwipayana, provided a statement to journalists at the Ministry of State Secretariat office in Jakarta on Friday (2/2/2024).

Presidential Special Staff Coordinator, Ari Dwipayana, stated that the formation of the selection committee for the 2024-2029 KPK leadership candidates is still in process. The plan is to announce the committee this month (Kompas.com, 8/5/2024).

The leaders of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) from 2010 to 2015, as well as the Central Leadership of Muhammadiyah in the fields of Law, Human Rights, and Wisdom, Busyro Muqqodas, pushed for a selection committee consisting of diverse elements of society. The selection committee should fulfill the requirements of academic representation, integrity-proven civil society organizations or groups, professional and religious organizations. He also hopes that political elements will not be included in the selection committee.

"President Jokowi has a moral obligation to respond to feedback from the people. If President Jokowi rejects this proposal from the community, the public will have a better understanding of the president's attitude and biases," said Busro.