Bagus BT Saragih, Jakarta – The lawmakers' recent move to criticize the antigraft body's decision to name key local government officials as suspects has raised the question as to whether the parliament is serious about fighting corruption.
In a recent hearing between the members of the House of Representatives' Commission III on law and human rights and the leaders of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), lawmakers questioned the investigation of several alleged corruption cases against politicians. Lawmakers criticized the KPK in naming the North Sumatra Governor Syamsul Arifin as a suspect in alleged misappropriation leading to state losses of up to Rp 31 billion (US$3.4 million) in Langkat regency. The case took place in 2007 when Syamsul the Langkat regent.
Lawmakers also questioned the arrest of Boven Digul regent, Yusak Yaluwo, suspected in a graft case involving Rp 49 billion in state losses.
The commission criticized KPK investigation procedures and suggested an inquiry team to monitor the work of the KPK. Daday Hudaya from the Democratic Party rejected the idea was likely to undermine the KPK. "It is important instead to support the anticorruption movement," he said.
Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) deputy coordinator Emerson Yuntho said on Saturday the lawmakers' criticism went too far. "Lawmakers are supposed to support the KPK to eradicate corruption, not the other way around," he said. Emerson said he suspected the lawmakers' move were driven by political motives.
Emerson said the line taken by the lawmakers did not make sense. "They are trying hard to find KPK's faults instead of finding solutions," he said.
ICW researcher Ibrahim Fahmi Badoh said the KPK had recently named many lawmakers as graft suspects, which could be the reason for the current House's opposition to the body. "Many current lawmakers are possibly targeted by the KPK," he added.
A number of House's Commission III members also questioned the investigation of a vote buying case involving former lawmakers in the 2004 election of Bank Indonesia Senior Deputy Governor Miranda Swaray Gultom.
The KPK has named four then lawmakers suspects for allegedly receiving bribes while no briber has yet been identified by the commission's investigators.
Ahmad Yani of the United Development Party (PPP) demand to know why Miranda remained only a witness in the case while legislators had been named suspects.
KPK deputy chairman Chandra M. Hamzah defended his work, saying the investigation process was still ongoing and that the KPK might possibly name more suspects.
Piter Zulkifli Simabuea of Democratic Party instead criticized his fellow legislators. "A number of members of Commission III have, by their actions, made it look like they are supporting the corruptors," he said.
Piter suggested that lawmakers should not repeat such actions in the future.
KPK deputy chairman Bibit Samad Rianto has said that the commission would remain consistent in fighting corruption regardless of pressures from the House. "We work based on the law, not on the parliament," Bibit said.