Corruption Eradication Committee Prosecutor Allegedly Extorted IDR 3 Billion from Witnesses

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is being urged to immediately reveal cases of alleged extortion committed by KPK prosecutors against witnesses.

ANTARA/MUHAMMAD ADIMAJA

Workers cleaned the Corruption Eradication Commission logo at the KPK building in Jakarta on Monday (5/2). Throughout 2017, based on the results of anti-corruption measures, the KPK claimed to have successfully returned Rp 276.6 billion to the state, from corruption and money laundering proceeds, as well as confiscated goods grants.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — A Corruption Eradication Commission prosecutor is suspected of having extorted Rp. 3 billion from a witness. The Supervisory Board KPK stated that it had received the report of alleged extortion of the KPK prosecutor and forwarded it to the Deputy for Enforcement and Deputy for Prevention of the KPK since December 6 2023.

A member of the Supervisory Board (Dewas) of KPK, Albertina Ho, confirmed on Friday (29/3/2024) that the KPK Dewas has received a report of alleged extortion by a KPK prosecutor who coerced a witness to pay Rp 3 billion. After being processed according to KPK Dewas's standard operational procedure, the report was then forwarded to the Deputy Prosecutor and Deputy Preventive KPK on December 6th, 2023.

The complaints forwarded to the two KPK deputies are expected to be promptly followed up in accordance with applicable authorities and regulations. According to Albertina, the case has been included in the investigation and inspection of the report on the wealth of state officials (LHKPN). However, Albertina did not explain the report in more detail. She asked that this be confirmed with the KPK.

Also read: KPK Prison Head Achmad Fauzi Allows Illegal Levies

KOMPAS/TOTOK WIJAYANTO

Member of the KPK Supervisory Board (Dewas), Albertina Ho

Regarding the continuation of the alleged extortion case, Albertina also admitted that she no longer knew anything after the Dewas forwarded the report to the KPK. "I am not aware of any developments, Dewas does not know, please confirm with the KPK public relations," she said.

Also read: Detention of 15 Extortion Suspects at KPK Detention Center Becomes Dark Day for Eradicating Corruption

Separately, the Head of the News Division of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Ali Fikri stated that the KPK will immediately investigate the complaint and the results of the entire follow-up process in the KPK Supervisory Board. The KPK is committed to thoroughly examining in order to ensure the truth of the information.

"Let us continue to respect the ongoing processes in the Supervisory Board, Enforcement Deputy, and Prevention Deputy of the KPK, by not leading to other opinions because this information is still in the form of a complaint that needs to be proven for its substance," said Ali in a written statement.

KOMPAS/PRAYOGI DWI SULISTYO

Head of the KPK News Section, Ali Fikri

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) continues to appeal to the public to remain vigilant if there are parties claiming to be from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and promising something related to resolving cases handled by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The public can report via the KPK call center at number 198 or the nearest law enforcement agency.

Also read: After Prison Officers, Now It's the Corruption Convict's Turn to Be Examined by the KPK

Zaenur Rohman, a researcher at the Center for Anti-Corruption Studies at the Faculty of Law at Gadjah Mada University, believes that the alleged extortion by KPK prosecutors indicates a failure in the KPK system in preventing corruption within the agency. Therefore, a review and redesign of the KPK's internal supervision system that is optimal must be implemented.

"There must be a review of the system and how supervision can be effective. I imagine that supervision must be comprehensive and 360 degrees. If the violation is not detected early on, there are also sanctions for the leadership. "So, subordinates make mistakes, that responsibility is also delegated to their superiors," said Zaenur.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

A group of employees from the Corruption Eradication Commission's detention center were escorted to a detention vehicle at the KPK Building in Jakarta on Friday (15/3/2024). A total of 15 KPK detention center employees were arrested for being involved in structured extortion against KPK detention center residents.

Zaenur urges the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to immediately reveal the alleged extortion case committed by KPK prosecutors to the public. This case has certainly lowered public trust in the KPK.

"The criminal process must be quick and transparent. Second, there is the aspect of ethical and disciplinary sanctions. Without these steps, it will be difficult to restore public trust in the KPK," said Zaenur.

If the violation is not detected early on, there are also sanctions for their leaders. Therefore, if subordinates make mistakes, the responsibility is also passed on to their superiors.

This incident, according to Zaenur, further indicates the massive erosion of the organization. Because, before the alleged case of KPK prosecutors extorting witnesses, there was already rampant extortion against detainees in the KPK detention center.

Also read: Extortion in KPK Detention Center, It's Not Enough Just to Apologize

DOKUMENTASI PRIBADI ZAENUR ROHMAN

UGM Trawl Researcher, Zaenur Rohman

Long before that, there was also a case involving former KPK investigator, Ajun Komisaris Stepanus Robin Pattuju, who received bribes of up to Rp 11 billion from several parties involved in KPK cases. For his actions, Stepanus was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Also read: Accepting Bribery for Case Management, Former KPK Investigator Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison

According to Zaenur, in an organization, the moral compass is in the hands of the leadership. When the leadership has low moral standards, usually the employees also have significantly lower standards.

"I see that the spirit of integrity in the KPK has been destroyed. "The Corruption Eradication Commission must review the system and redesign its internal monitoring system," said Zaenur.

He believes the way to improve the Corruption Eradication Committee is to remove the revisions to the Corruption Eradication Committee Law and return it to its original state.