Hendrik Khoirul Muhid, Jakarta – The recent statement said by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan that seemed to regret the sting operation carried out by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) generated the attention of several parties. Luhut on Tuesday said sting operations or OTT was not a good image to showcase the fight against corruption.
His cynicism was responded to by former KPK investigator and chairman of KPK employees Yudi Purnomo Harahap who believes catching graft suspects in the act is the most effective way to uncover a corruption case.
Yudi also insisted that OTT is one of the better ways to campaign against corrupt behaviors.
"Why does the sting operation always be the center of attention?" said Yudi in quipping Luhut's statement on December 21. "Once alleged suspects are caught, they have no way to evade."
The former KPK investigator argued that sting operations do not differentiate perpetrators. The anti-graft watchdog, throughout its history, has apprehended corruption suspects in OTT that come from respectable positions such as Constitutional Court Judges, House legislators, and Regional Representative Council (DPD) members.
"Sting operations do not discriminate against a person's official position," Yudi asserted.
As previously reported, Luhut Pandjaitan said that the sting operation worsens Indonesia's image on the international stage and suggested using digitalization as a platform to monitor and prevent acts of corruption.
"Sting operations are actually not good for the country. It's just that bad. But with digitalization, who can oppose it," said Luhut Pandjaitan at an event in Jakarta on December 20.