Dicky Christanto and Erwida Maulia, Jakarta – The President made a rare statement of support for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), after the police named two of its leaders as suspects in a corruption case, and as most lawmakers continue to attempt to strip the body of its powers.
Wednesday's statement drew attention as President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has kept silent during the course of police investigations into the KPK's leadership since its suspended chairman Antasari Azhar was arrested for murder. The KPK convicted and sentenced many corrupt officials to jail.
"Eradicating graft remains the government's priority. In the past five years we have taken the most aggressive graft eradication measures in Indonesia's history, and I will prioritize the fight against graft over the next five years," the President said on Wednesday.
Before midnight on Tuesday, police named deputy KPK chairman Bibit Samad Riyanto, a former police officer, and Chandra M. Hamzah as suspects after some 10 hours of questioning.
Police said Wednesday that they had solid evidence on the suspects' violation of the Corruption Law, by abuse of power for issuing travel bans against two executives accused of graft; but had no proof that they received bribes in return for dropping their investigations into the corrupt officials. The KPK leaders were not detained as of late Wednesday.
"The evidence strongly indicates misuse of authority by the two KPK leaders leading to the issuance of two important documents for Djoko Tjandra and Anggoro Widjojo," the Director for the Police Anti Corruption Division, Sr. Comr. Yovianes Mahar, said in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He was referring to travel bans issued for Djoko, former owner of PT Era Giat Prima, who was being investigated for graft. Anggoro is the former director of PT Masaro Radiokom and is suspected of involvement in a graft case involving the Forestry Ministry.
Yudhoyono said he would not intervene in the police probe, and that he would find a way to fill the now vacant leadership posts at the KPK.
Yovianes said the police had traced money from Anggoro to a businessman, Ary Muladi, who is suspected of acting as a middleman between Antasari and Anggoro, who allegedly bribed the KPK into dropping its investigation into his company.
"As much as Rp 6.15 billion [US$633,500] was received by Ary Muladi with the promise that the money would be given to some KPK leaders so that they would halt their investigation into Masaro," he said. "But we are still looking for evidence that might link the KPK leaders to the bribery."
Lawmaker Fahri Hamzah from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) said all KPK leaders deserved their current misfortune because of their arrogance.
"Don't say that [National Police Chief] Bambang Hendarso Danuri is the mastermind of the recent meltdown of the KPK, the President is." SBY had earlier warned the KPK of its "superbody" status.
Noted scholar Frans Magnis Suseno said the current controversy should not stop the nation's fight against graft. "If the KPK leaders are proven to be corrupt, they should be punished. The President should not merely act as spectator, but do his best to ensure the KPK's authority is not reduced." (hdt)