Bagus BT Saragih, Jakarta – The four-day "Meet the Press"-style promotional campaign held by the Democratic Party's (PD) presidential convention committee finally got the attention it deserved albeit for all the wrong reasons.
On Wednesday, one of the convention's 11 participants blasted the country's top antigraft body for hampering the government's work.
Regional Representatives Council (DPD) Speaker Irman Gusman, one of the party's presidential hopefuls, said on Wednesday that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) shared the blame for the country's poor and slow development.
"We always hope that the KPK will make a positive contribution to the nation's development but what has happened is the exact opposite," Irman said in the event, which was attended by scores of Jakarta-based journalists.
"The KPK has created fear among government officials particularly those in charge of projects. Today, officials are reluctant to manage certain procurement processes or projects because they are afraid they will be investigated by the KPK," he said.
Irman also said that the KPK had actually been designed as an ad hoc body that should eventually be disbanded some time in the future.
Irman added that irregular fund flows during election seasons should not always be considered as graft. He also suggested that some of those who misappropriated state funds should have their corruption charges dropped if they have paid a certain amount of fines.
Two other convention participants who also appeared on the program Wednesday were former Army chief Gen. (ret) Pramono Edhie Wibowo, who is also the brother of First Lady Ani Yudhoyono; and North Sulawesi Governor Sinyo Harry Sarundajang.
Earlier on Monday, convention participant and former Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Endriartono Sutarto made a bold move by criticizing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Endriartono, whose membership in the National Democrat (Nasdem) Party had been suspended after his decision to join the PD convention, slammed Yudhoyono's repeated claims of success in maintaining the country's strong economic growth.
"What is the point of having strong growth while the disparity or economic gap continues to increase? The poor stay poor while the rich get richer," he said.
Also making an appearance on the first day were senior PD lawmaker Hayono Isman and State-Owned Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan.
On Tuesday, Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) member Ali Masykur Musa and Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan fronted the media.
The "Meet the Press" is part of the ruling party's attempt to gain more media coverage for the convention. Each participant is given one hour for their discussion with journalists at the committee's secretariat in South Jakarta from Monday to Thursday.