Anastasya Lavenia Y, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) responded to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project's (OCCRP) inclusion of Indonesia's 7th president, Joko Widodo or Jokowi, among the candidates for its 2024 Organized Crime and Corruption figures.
"The KPK welcomes any parties who possess information and supporting evidence regarding acts of corruption by civil servants or state administrators to report them using the appropriate channels and methods to law enforcement," the KPK spokesperson Tessa Mahardhika said in a written statement on Thursday, January 2, 2024.
Tessa clarified that information and supporting evidence can be reported to the KPK, the police, or the prosecutor's office, which has the legal authority to handle corruption cases.
Previously, Jokowi addressed his inclusion on the list, questioning the basis for his nomination. "What is the corruption? Well, just prove it," Jokowi told the media at his residence in Sumber, Banjarsari District, Solo City, Central Java, on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
He also commented on the prevalence of slander, malicious framing, and accusations directed at him without any evidence.
The OCCRP's official website, in a release published on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, explained that they solicited nominations from readers, journalists, Person of the Year judges, and other members of the OCCRP global network.
Alongside Jokowi, the other four individuals nominated in the category are Kenyan President William Ruto, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Hasina, and Indian businessman Gautam Adani.
William Ruto received the largest number of votes in the 2024 Organized Crime and Corruption figure finalist nominations. Over 40,000 individuals submitted letters nominating the Kenyan President for "Person of the Year" within the Organized Crime and Corruption category.
– Septia Ryanthie and Savero Aristia Wienanto contributed to the writing of this article.