KPK to Work with Police over Komnas HAM`s Corruption Case

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is still coordinating with the National Police in relation to a corruption case inside the Human Rights National Commission (Komnas HAM).

“We will coordinate [with the National Police] over who’s taking the case, whether the KPK or National Police. But it seems that we’re taking it,” KPK chief Agus Rahardjo said at his office in Jakarta on Thursday, November 10, 2016.

The allegation of the graft case in the institution emerged when the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) issued a disclaimer opinion on Komnas HAM’s financial statement on June 4, 2016. The opinion was based on several findings, including an allegation of fictitious goods and services procurement worth Rp820.25 million (US$63,000) and an irregularity related to official house rent for a commissioner in 2015.

In addition, the BPK found that the institution spent Rp925 million (US$71,000) on honorarium for Komnas HAM’s team with no accountability report. The total amount of funds allegedly embezzled was Rp1.7 billion (US$130,000).

Agus revealed that his institution would take measures to prevent such issues from recurring.

“The KPK continually engages in communications with Komnas HAM to discuss the corrective measures for Komnas HAM,” he explained.

Earlier, Komnas Ham chairman Imdadun Rahmat requested assistance from the anti-graft commission to fix the financial governance at his institution, following to a disclaimer status issued by the BPK. Imdadun asked the KPK to monitor the Komnas HAM’s financial management. However, he refused to say that a corruption case had occurred at his institution. Imdadun said that he had handed over the BPK findings to the KPK to be reviewed.

MAYA AYU PUSPITASARI