Aisyah Amira Wakang, Jakarta – Former investigator of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Yudi Purnomo Harahap expressed his concern about the decline in the National Integrity Index in 2023. "This decline is certainly worrying," he told Tempo on Sunday, January 28.
The 2023 Integrity Assessment Survey (SPI) was released by the KPK on Friday, January 26, to measure the risk of corruption in an institution. The survey can be used as a recommendation to improve the corruption prevention system.
The KPK announced that the National Integrity Index in 2023 dropped to 70.97, from 71.94 in 2022, indicating a higher risk of corruption in the country, according to KPK Deputy Chairman Johanis Tanak.
Yudi believed that there are at least four factors behind the index decline. These include the KPK's failure to set an example and its weakening due to the revised law, more rampant corruption cases, light sentences for corruptors, and no regulations to provide deterrent effects for corruptors.
He called for severe punishment for corruptors, such as confiscation of assets and impoverishment. He added that this issue should also be a concern for the 2024 presidential candidates.
"This [survey result] must be read by anyone who runs for the presidency that the corruption situation is worsening and is an extraordinary crime in Indonesia," he said.
Yudi emphasized the need for a special formula to deal with this problem. He was also waiting for the results of the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index issued by Transparency International Indonesia (TII). The index value in 2021 was 38 and dropped drastically to 34 in 2022, which was quite influential according to him.
Johanis Tanak, the KPK deputy chairman, hoped for a better SPI score this year in order to curb corruption cases. Several aspects evaluated in the SPI include transparency, integrity in carrying out duties, the management of goods and service procurement, HR management, trading in influence, budget management, and anti-corruption education.
Johanis affirmed that the KPK would follow up on the results of the survey to enhance its performance in eradicating corruption. "We will take measures according to our duties and prevent corruption," he said.