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If you catch us, give us a chance to change, Indonesian politician pleads to anti-graft body

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Coconuts Jakarta - November 15, 2021

Here lies a philosophical conundrum: If a corrupt politician doesn't know he's being corrupt, then is he corrupt?

One Indonesian regent seems to be of the opinion that the answer is no, in what has perhaps become an epitome of how depressingly deep corruption is entrenched in Indonesia's political culture.

Banyumas Regent Achmad Husein has scratched heads and tickled funny bones nationwide after a short clip depicting his stance on the issue went viral over the weekend. Taken during a recent discussion event on the theme of corruption, Achmad gave this jewel of a statement:

"We regional heads, we are scared of getting arrested [by the Corruption Eradication Commission or KPK]. So we plead to KPK, if you find discrepancies, summon us [for clarification] before you make arrests. If [the offender] wants to change, then let them go. But if they don't want to change, then you can arrest them," he said.

Novel Baswedan, an anti-corruption icon who was recently ousted from the KPK in what is widely seen as a politically-motivated farce, today tweeted, "If they're notified [of a KPK sting] ahead of time, that is the same as leaking information about the sting. Scared of getting caught in a sting? Don't accept bribes."

The KPK also said essentially the same thing, and in turn pleaded with politicians to uphold their integrity and ensure that they're committed to eradicating graft.

In response to the controversy, Achmad today said the clip was taken out of context of his overall message.

"[My statement] was made in consideration that stings take out regional heads, whereas said regional heads may have the potential and capability to further their regions. A sting may not leave the fate of a region for the better. Whereas those caught in a sting for the first time may not be aware [of any wrongdoing] because certain old policies didn't prove to be problematic in the past," he said.

Won't somebody please take the shovel away from Achmad?

Source: https://coconuts.co/jakarta/news/if-you-catch-us-give-us-a-chance-to-change-indonesian-politician-pleads-to-anti-graft-body

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