Strong Signals of the Danger of Corruption

KOMPAS/PRAYOGI DWI SULISTYO

The Corruption Eradication Commission led by KPK Deputy Chairman Nawawi Pomolango (center) held a press conference on the activities of the arrest of the East Kutai Regent, East Kalimantan, Ismunandar at the KPK Building, Jakarta, Friday (3/7/2020).

The eradication of corruption in the country is alarming. The results of a Kompas Research and Development (Litbang) poll showed that nine out of 10 respondents feel that corruption is becoming rampant.

The poll results were released by Litbang Kompas on Monday, 6 December 2021. At the same time, a survey released by Indicator Politik Indonesia provided almost the same outlook. Those who judge that Indonesia's corruption eradication is good and bad are equally large. Indonesia is divided on the issue of eradicating corruption.

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In the Indicator Politik Indonesia survey, trust in the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) — an institution was once respected in the Reform Era — is now fading. The KPK's ranking has tumbled, now far behind the Indonesian Military (TNI), the President and even the National Police. Even if combining the "people who trust" and "relatively trust" the KPK, the institution that was born from the womb of reform is ranked eighth.

The survey results are a portrait. It is up to the state administrators to deal with the issue – whether they want to consider it to be business as usual, or want to think emang gue pikirin (I don’t care), the choice lies with state officials. However, we want to remind them that the results of the survey and the opinion poll are a loud alarm from the people about the dangers of corruption that could threaten the very foundations of this nation.

Kompas/Heru Sri Kumoro

Former Secretary of the Supreme Court, Nurhadi (vest) left the Corruption Eradication Commission Building, Jakarta, Tuesday (2/6/2020). Nurhadi and Rezky are suspects of bribery or gratification cases related to handling cases in the Supreme Court with a value of around Rp 46 billion. They were arrested after almost four months before they were wanted.

The Dutch trading business in Indonesia (VOC) collapsed because of corruption. The New Order regime, which ruled for 32 years ended because of massive corruption. The survey results show that corruption is a comorbid disease of this nation. A comorbid disease that impoverishes the nation.

Now, they are recruited by the National Police. This shows that the credibility of the national insight test conducted by the KPK is problematic.

It is very worrying that a highly respected institution in eradicating corruption is now starting to lose its strength. The history of the nation shows that this country needs a respected figure. An exemplary figure. Now, that figure is disappearing, it is being systemically removed. An example is the public criticism of the 57 KPK employees, the people who had worked to eradicate corruption in this country, who did not pass the national insight test (TWK). Now, they are recruited by the National Police. This shows that the credibility of the national insight test conducted by the KPK is problematic.

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Unfortunately, the KPK leader who was proven to be an "intermediary" in a suspect's case, directing the suspect to seek a certain advocate and who was then sentenced by the KPK Supervisory Board, is still retained. It was at that time the credibility of the KPK collapsed. How will the KPK be able to gain public trust if its own leadership is problematic? On the other hand, society is increasingly permissive of corruption.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators display Rp 110 million in cash at a press conference on the results of a sting operation on bribery allegations related to a waterway project in Yogyakarta at the KPK building in South Jakarta on Aug. 20. (20/8/2019).

A lot of energy is needed to respond to the public warning signals that are read through the surveys. Significant steps need to be taken together so that this nation can be salvaged from the threat of the corruption virus. There is nothing wrong with marginalizing problematic people in the anticorruption institution. This has been proven to win back public trust. This is for the greater interest of the nation. Many parties must play their role, the government, law enforcement institutions and those advocate organizations that have yet to be reckoned with.

(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo).