Anita Rachman, Jakarta – Lawmakers on Thursday defended their opposition to granting the Financial Transaction Reports Analysis Center expanded powers, saying it was necessary to keep the agency in check to prevent government manipulation.
"What matters for us is that the PPATK [the center] is never given an investigative role," said Bambang Soesatyo, of the Golkar Party. "We oppose it so there will be no overlapping and abuses of power."
On Tuesday, watchdogs accused four parties with members on the House legal commission of hampering the country's antigraft drive by rejecting 24 critical points in the government's proposed amendment of the 2003 Money Laundering Law.
The activists said Golkar, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the United Development Party (PPP) and the People's Conscience Party (Hanura) opposed allowing the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to automatically receive PPATK reports on suspicious transactions.
The factions are also against giving PPATK members limited immunity, the right to investigate and the ability to inspect and freeze suspicious bank accounts.
Only six of out of the 15 legislators on the House legal commission turned up to a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the issue, further angering activists. The session is to be continued today.
Bambang took issue with what he called the PPATK chairman's willingness to follow the president's orders, raising doubts on the center's independence.
He said if the agency were granted greater powers it could be used by the government to strike at political enemies by exposing their abuses.
However, Jamil Mubarok, a researcher with the Indonesia Transparency Society, said the lawmakers' denials were toothless. "Based on data, they have this tendency to undermine the KPK," he said. "Now we don't need them claiming that they don't, we are waiting for proof. If they really intend to give more access to KPK, they should prove it."
The activists said lawmakers may have good reason for wanting to keep PPATK reports from the KPK. In the two cases in which the KPK used PPATK reports, 10 lawmakers ended up being charged with taking bribes. At the moment, only the Attorney General's Office and the police can access the reports.
Tjahjo Kumolo, faction chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said his party had no intention of backing down. "We oppose the government's wishes to give PPATK more power."
He said the PDI-P insisted that PPATK should work independently and not be tied to governmental institutions. The PPATK should limit itself to its current tasks of analyzing financial transactions, he said.
"Look at PPATK's performance. It is dictated by these and those people," he said. "The discussion whether KPK could finally have access to the PPATK reports will be decided later. What we should focus on today is the role of the PPATK."