The KPK’s Trojan Horse
Taufiequrachman Ruki
When other forces that do not follow the spirit and the original purpose of establishing the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) enter the body of the organization, the KPK becomes a Trojan horse.
These other forces can enter the KPK as commissioners, administrative officers and regular employees to potentially succeed in influencing the KPK, perhaps even in controlling its direction and movement.
The problem is, who benefits from this Trojan horse? Is it for the benefit of the ruling regime, the interests of opposition forces or other interests outside of the efforts to eradicate corruption? The answer depends on which area or areas of the KPK’s strengths that the Trojan horse has infiltrated.
The next problem concerning this Trojan horse is how we can guarantee that no other forces – from political parties, the current regime, the opposition groups or other interest groups – have infiltrated the KPK, so the anticorruption body can stay on track in continuing its fight against corruption as a brave, independent, appropriate and professional law enforcement agency.
It all begins with the process of selecting KPK commissioners who are brave, independent, honest and highly capable in terms of both technical/legal and managerial skills. But it should begin even earlier, in choosing those individuals who deserve to sit on the KPK leadership selection committee.
A number of NGOs and individuals have alleged that police officers and prosecutors, even members of the state civil service (ASN), have entered the ranks of the KPK’s 2019-2023 leadership, who can then undermine corruption eradication efforts as Trojan horses. In doing so, it is already clear to us that both sides – those accusing and those accused – are trying to place their pawns within the structure of the KPK. They are also trying to prevent the other side from placing their pawns within the KPK to counter any efforts to obstruct their individual agendas.
The current friction among internal groups within the KPK – with the mass media and the public citing the existence of "police investigators" and "hardline investigators" (although these terms are not entirely accurate) – shows that infighting is already occurring. It is easy to determine which internal factions are involved by looking at which external individuals and groups are supporting their "colleagues" in the "fight".
However, those now "fighting for" their interests within the KPK and trying to turn the KPK into a Trojan horse often forget that other groups exist in the KPK; groups that continue their efforts to keep the commission on the straight and true. They work quietly, without bragging or fanfare. The KPK continues to step forth confidently to carry out its mission. I believe these groups are still the majority, but merely silent as they continue with their work.
Therefore, all parties, especially the President and the House of Representatives (DPR), must pay heed to and criticize the selection process, as well as study the competence and credibility of the KPK leadership candidates.
Remember that the KPK is the biological child of reformasi (reform) and is expected to oversee that the Reform Era government remains clean and free of corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN). Therefore, all parties, especially the President and the House of Representatives (DPR), must pay heed to and criticize the selection process, as well as study the competence and credibility of the KPK leadership candidates.
Clean conscience
As someone who stands on the sidelines of the war of interests – someone who followed the process leading up to the birth of the KPK, who underwent the KPK leadership selection process, and who has tried to uphold the KPK’s very existence so it can fulfill its duties without any uproar – I hope that the selection committee, the President, and the DPR are truly able to maintain clear consciences and minds in determining which candidates are free of personal ambition and/or the agenda of their interest group. It is those who are not that will use their KPK leadership only as a vehicle or a stepping-stone to achieve their own ambitions and agendas.
Experience and observations thus far have shown that KPK leaders of this type are the Trojan horses. They will then give rise to internal factions and the subsequent atmosphere of infighting. In turn, they will distort the country’s corruption eradication agenda.
It is actually easy to detect the signs. Just pay attention to those candidates who have been talking more about their individual reputation and individual opinions, as well as imaginary corruption programs that have been, are being and will be carried out.
This is also easy to detect among the candidates who hail from the police, state prosecutors and civil service. Just try to interview their subordinates on the quiet, about what they were like when they were in junior positions. Their subordinates are the ones who know about their real reputation, even their true "inner self"; not the superiors who feel they know their subordinates and then give a recommendation.
It is through such simple ways that we – particularly the President and the DPR – can prevent the KPK from becoming a Trojan horse that carries interests outside of eradicating corruption and creating a Republic of Indonesia that is clean and free of KKN.
That is the mandate of the reform that has been unequivocally stated in Decree No. XI/MPR/1998 on State Officials that are Clean and Free of KKN.
Taufiequrachman Ruki, Former KPK Chairman (2003-2007); former KPK Acting Chairman (2015)
