Jakarta/Yogyakarta – Constitutional Court President Jimly Asshiddiqie said Wednesday's arrest of Judicial Commission member Irawady Joenoes on bribery allegations was a reminder of the constant need to guard against corruption.
"Everyone should be more aware. Although a person has a 'clean' reputation, he may one day turn the other way," Jimly said Thursday after a breaking of the fast gathering at his Jakarta residence.
"Don't perceive that someone's good reputation will always stay good. This also goes for those with bad track records. Someday they can also do something good."
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested Irawady, head of the commission unit responsible for monitoring judicial behavior and integrity, at a residence in South Jakarta.
Irawady, 67, allegedly received a payoff in a deal involving a plot of land in Central Jakarta the Judicial Commission purchased for its office. The suspect is currently being held in the Jakarta Police detention center.
"A damaged reputation is difficult to overcome, so one's integrity should be a high priority. The legal and organizational aspects in Indonesia should be improved continuously," Jimly said.
In Yogyakarta, the chairman of Gadjah Mada University's Anti-Corruption Study Center, Denny Indrayana, said the KPK should continue to actively seek to trap corrupt officials. "This includes police officers, prosecutors or judges involved in corruption," he said.
Denny said Irawady had clearly been caught off-guard accepting bribes, pointing out he had US$30,000 inside his pocket and Rp 600 million ($65,500) in a small bag.
Denny said Irawady's arrest was a blow to the commission, which functions as a judicial watchdog and a selection committee for higher court judges. "This shows that even the Judicial Commission's members are not absolutely free from corruption," he said.
Commission chairman Busyro Muqoddas said Irawady's office had been sealed off to secure any possible evidence. "Who knows, the KPK might need more evidence later on. We'll let the room stay as it is and protect it so the KPK can work better," Busyro told Antara.
Busyro said Irawady was initially opposed to the Judicial Commission purchasing land at Jl. Kramat Raya 57 for its office, but later changed his mind. The commission bought the land for about Rp 46 billion from Freddy Santoso, who was arrested at the same time and location as Irawady. Freddy reportedly confessed to members of the graft body after his arrest that he had paid off Irawady.