Longing for a KPK with a Positive Image

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Protesters in action in front of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) building, Jakarta, Thursday (24/2/2022). The KPK is still the public's favorite place to voice and report corruption cases.

Carrying out internal improvements to regain public trust is one of the main challenges of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) at present.

This situation can be seen from the results of face-to-face surveys and opinion polls conducted by the Kompas Research and Development division. The surveys, conducted in January, showed that 70.9 percent of people had a positive impression of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). This achievement was indeed better than in October 2021, which saw a figure of 68.6 percent. However, it was still below the 2017-2018 achievement, which was above 80 percent.

With a positive image of 70.9 percent, the KPK is beneath other law enforcement agencies, such as the National Police, the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and the Attorney General’s Office (AGO). Previously, the KPK had received consistently high positive sentiment in the country.

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> Equalize Perceptions about the KPK

> Death Sentence for KPK

According to the Kompas surveys on the KPK since 2015, the positive image of the institution has declined since the revision of the KPK Law at the end of 2019. In August 2020, the positive image of the KPK was only 65.8 percent. This occurred following a number of controversies in response to the revision of the KPK Law, such as the existence of a national insight test for KPK employees. Apart from that, other polemics have also emerged, such as allegations of ethical violations by some KPK leaders and objections to the way the problems were resolved.

At the same time, anticorruption discourse in the public sphere also tended to decline. Statements and examples related to eradicating corruption from the political elites fell.

By looking at the series of events that occurred, it can be determined that the KPK’s situation at present cannot all be attributed to the commission itself. There is also the role of the government and the House of Representatives, for example regarding the revision of the KPK Law and its various impacts.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Azis Syamsuddin, defendant in the bribery case against former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator AKP Stepanus Robin Pattuju after trial at the Corruption Court, Jakarta, Monday (14/2/2022).

In order to improve the image of the KPK, many steps involving many parties are needed. However, a poll in February showed the scale of priorities that could be taken. A total of 32.7 percent of respondents said the thing that most needed to be improved at the KPK was firm action against leaders or employees who violated its code of ethics. Furthermore, 21.1 percent of respondents underlined the importance of law enforcement, such as improving the quality and quantity of sting operations.

These opinions arose because the public observed various dynamics at the KPK. They did not only see the steps taken by the KPK in eradicating corruption, but also discourse such as that related to the KPK marching song and anticorruption advertisements of the chair of the KPK.

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These observations have made the public long for a KPK institution that maintains its independence and integrity in carrying out its duties. The public expects the KPK to be filled with simple, brave, honest and firm people in eradicating corruption.

The commitment of the KPK leadership is the main factor in realizing the public's wishes. History not only records the achievements of the KPK leadership in responding to the public will, but also what kind of KPK institution they will pass down for the nation.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo