Explanation from KPK Leadership Needed

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for the 2019-2023 period Firli Bahuri (from left to right), KPK deputy chairman Alexander Marwata, KPK deputy chairperson Lili Pintauli Siregar, KPK deputy chairman Nawawi Pomolango and KPK deputy chairman Nurul Ghfron read out the integrity pact during the office handover from KPK 2019-2023 leaders at the KPK building, Jakarta, Friday (20/12/2019). The KPK supervisory council, led by Tumpak Hatorangan and KPK chairman Firli Bahuri, has officially begun serving for the 2019-2023 period.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — An explanation from the leadership of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) regarding the civic knowledge test, which is used as a requirement for the change in status of KPK employees to that of state civil servants, is very much needed to end the polemic regarding this matter. Therefore, it is important for KPK leadership to provide information to the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) in relation to the test.

Komnas HAM summoned the KPK leadership to ask for information regarding the issue of the civic knowledge test on Tuesday (8/6/2021). KPK leadership was summoned because there was a complaint from KPK employees about the test. However, the KPK leadership failed to fulfill the summons. In the near future, Komnas HAM will send a second summons to the KPK leadership.

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A former constitutional justice, I Dewa Gede Palguna, reminded that Komnas HAM was established to ensure the protection of human rights. Protection of human rights is one of the characteristics of a democracy based on law and this is guaranteed by the constitution. This makes human rights a constitutional right. When it becomes a constitutional right, said Palguna, human rights is part of the constitution so that all branches of state power must obey.

It is not necessarily a violation of human rights. For that reason, it is important for the KPK leadership to be presen.

"What if Komnas HAM summons the KPK leadership? I think they should meet the summons. So, Komnas HAM must be present here not only to carry out its duties, but to demonstrate the guarantee of protection provided by the constitution for constitutional rights. It is not necessarily a violation of human rights. For that reason, it is important for the KPK leadership to be present,” said Palguna.

The fulfillment of this call, said Palguna, is also an opportunity for the KPK leadership to provide clarification over the polemic surrounding the civic knowledge test.

" Everyone is just playing with assumptions so that there is room to be engineered into political issues and has no end. That\'s what I\'m worried about," he said.

HUMAS KPK

Deputy Chairperson of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Alexander Marwata (center) in a press conference determining the Chairperson of the Muara Enim DPRD in the KPK\'s Red and White Building, Jakarta, Monday (27/4/2020).

Palguna reminded all parties to be objective in looking at this issue. Komnas HAM must work independently. The KPK leadership must also be present to meet the summons as part of participating in safeguarding human rights guaranteed by the constitution.

Second summons

A commissioner of Komnas HAM, Choirul Anam, said that based on Law No. 39/1999 on Human Rights, giving information is a right. Komnas HAM will give the KPK leadership a second and last chance to provide information. "I think twice (summons) is enough," said Anam.

Komnas HAM chairman Ahmad Taufan Damanik added that his party has the task of ensuring that every policy, rule, or action of another institution is in accordance with human rights standards and norms. "We want to make sure whether when (KPK) implements the law, there are human rights norms that are violated or not because the KPK employees complained," he said.

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Acting KPK Spokesman Ali Fikri said the KPK leadership respects the main duties and functions of Komnas HAM. Therefore, the KPK leadership has sent a letter to Komnas HAM on June 7. "(KPK Leadership) asked for an explanation in advance about which human rights are violated in the implementation of the change of the status of KPK employees," said Ali.

Ali said the process of changing the status of KPK employees is an order from law and the KPK has implemented the law. He emphasized that the civic knowledge test was carried out by the State Civil Service Agency in collaboration with other relevant institutions through a process that was in accordance with the statutory mechanism.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Tjahjo Kumolo.

Separately, Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Tjahjo Kumolo said that the KPK leadership did not reject the invitation of Komnas HAM. However, the KPK leadership sent a letter questioning the urgency of the summons. According to Tjahjo, this is normal. (PDS/SYA/DEA/BOW)

(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo).