Special Month for Corruptors

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO (WAK)

Officers prepare to take Prosecutor Pinangki Sirna Malasari out of the courtroom after undergoing an indictment trial at the Corruption Court (Tipikor) at the Central Jakarta District Court (PN), on Wednesday (23/9/2020).

A total of 23 corruption convicts were released on parole by the government on Tuesday, 6 September, 2022, from a number of prisons.

The big names include former prosecutor Pinangki Sirna Malasari, former constitutional judge Patrialis Akbar, former Banten governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah and former religious affairs minister Suryadharma Ali. However, compared to the others, Pinangki’s story is special. Pinangki was a prosecutor who met corruption convict Djoko “Joko” Tjandra in Kuala Lumpur.

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She acted as an "intermediary" in the Joko Tjandra bribery case. She mentioned a number of high-ranking state law officials in the case. Pinangki was found guilty of accepting a US$500,000 bribe from former corruption-fugitive Djoko Tjandra

Pinangki was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the first panel of judges, later reduced to four years by an appellate judge. She then got remission. Pinangki only served a prison sentence of one year and one month. The treatment of Pinangki was quite special; corruptors need to learn from her.

It turned out that there was involvement of members of the National Police to take care of Joko and of course, also Pinangki.

The escape of the corruption convict Joko overseas was in the public spotlight because, as a corruption convict, he was able to go back and forth to Indonesia, apply for a passport and arrange for a review. It turned out that there was involvement of members of the National Police to take care of Joko and of course, also Pinangki.

On the orders of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Joko Tjandra was picked up by the head of the Criminal Investigation Agency -- at that time -- commissioner general Listyo Sigit Prabowo along with a number of high-ranking police officers. A number of high-ranking police officers, including Inspector General Napoleon Bonaparte, were arrested and tried.

UNTV VIA AP

President Joko Widodo

The release of the former prosecutor Pinangki and a number of other corruption convicts hurt the people. At a time when many people suffer from the increasing prices of basic commodities, corruptors enjoy their freedom.

The people's burden is heavy. The public is shaken by the release of corruptors, even though it is conditional.

The Coordinator of Public Relations and Protocol of the Directorate General of Corrections, Rika Aprianti, said that the conditional release of 23 corruption convicts was in accordance with government regulations. However, in our view, something normative does not necessarily have a moral basis. We hope this is not an early sign leading to moral bankruptcy. Law enforcement is in trouble. The people's burden is heavy. The public is shaken by the release of corruptors, even though it is conditional.

The intention to weaken the punishment for corruptors is quite systematic. Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono issued Government Regulation No. 99 of 2012, which tightens the granting of remissions to corruptors. However, the Supreme Court (MA) overturned it.

The easing of remission for corruptors is a privilege for corruptors. In fact, corruption convicts are also not prohibited from running in the 2024 General Election. The General Election Commission's rule, which banned former corruptors from becoming candidates for legislative members, was canceled by the Supreme Court.

This nation seems helpless against corruption. The clouds of darkness are gathering while the corruption convicts are partying. Hopefully this nation's elite will wake up and realize that corruption is a comorbid disease that can undermine our foundation as a nation and state.

(This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi).