Thursday, 24 January 2013

N.G.O ACCUSE HOUSE OF PARALYZING ANTRGRAFT COMMISSION



Non Government Organization [NGO] saw crucial period in regard to the existence of the Commission of Corruption Eradication [KPK] in Indonesia, particularly after the Session Period I Year 2012 – 2013 on October 25, 2012. There were two things which were indirectly related to the existence of KPK, i.e. discussion of RUU State Budget Bill 2013, which among others included fund allocation for KPK building. Furthermore there was the process of harmonization, rounding up, and confirmation of KPK Bill by the Legislation Board [baleg] which was crucial. Those were the conclusion of some local NGO’s among others the Indonesian Corruption Watch [ICW], Central of Legal and Policy Study [PSHK] Indonesia, TII, IBC, YAPPIKA and MTI.

The six NGO’s claimed they already had observed political maneuvers of House in regard to KPK’s role. In the past few years the Parliament had been one of the “Paralizer” of anti-graft effort. The effort was so clearly visible in two aspects including politicizing of budgets. Clearly House was trying to slowdown the progress of KPK building procurement. “ In addition to that, abuse of legislation function to amend Law no 30/2002 on Ant graft Commission was also leading toward dis-empowerment of KPK” Ronald Rofiandri of PSHK told Business News [1/10].

The paralyzing effort was related to the fact that today KPK was aggressively focusing on cases of political corruption in House. As noted some politicians of the political parties had been charged by KPK [see enclosures]. The Budgeting Board [Banggar] which suspected to be the epicentrum of Corruption in House was also within KPK’s target and corrupted politicians in House felt they were disturbed by the charges and launched counter attack through their two roles: budgeting and legislation.

Budget for development of the KPK building had in fact Benn approved by House and the Parliament through APBN State Budget at the value of Rp72.8 billion or 4.7% of the entire proposal for new building for the existing judicature body. And yet strangely, House seemed to prevent fund liquidation for that building. House stated that the KPK budget was marked with “star” and therefore could not be used.

The reasoning seemed also insistently fabricated. In the beginning House recommended KPK to use unused Government building However the reasoning was annulled by statement of the Director General of State Treasures, Ministry of Finance that there was no building which could be used by KPK as needed. It should be borne in mind that KPK is a law enforcer body which need adequate facilities to support their mission and authority just as the Police and the Attorney General.

The amount budget for building of the Police Force and the Attorney General compared to institutions of the law enforcer sector approved by House. 


However there was different treatment done by House. This indicated that budgeting function of House had been abused for paralyzing the ant graft commission.

But then the argumentation changed. House changed their argumentation stance by questioning KPK’s performance in corruption eradication, and yet KPK had always been submitting their annual report to the Parliament and the Board of Financial Examination [BPK]. So it was very strange when House again raised the same question. To be fair, Parliament’s performance had been unsatisfactory in terms of legislation, control, and budgeting. What’s more, many House members who had become convicts for committed corruption.

The second act of “dies-empowerment” of KPK was to gnaw KPK’s instruments of authority of law no 30 year 2002. The attempt to dies-empower KPK was among others: (i) the plan to dis-empower KPK’s power of prosecuting which was being axed by House (ii) House would question office period of KPK leader and the case of letter of Command to stop Investigation (SP3); (iii) the formation of the Controlling Board of KPK formed by House which had potential of political intervention on KPK and simultaneously empower house highly and (iv) voice-tapping must be by Court’s permission – and yet corruption was abominable felony. 

Business News - October 5, 2012




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