TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Several anti-corruption civil organizations, members of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption or UNCAC, have monitored the revisions of the Corruption Eradication Commission or KPK Law.

Some 97 organizations from different countries conveyed their concerns about the law amendment.

“We share serious concerns with Indonesia’s leading corruption watchdog regarding the implications of the recent revised KPK Law,” said UNCAC in a press release, Monday, September 30.

According to them, the revisions endangered the independence of the anti-graft body and undermined its ability to prevent, investigate, and prosecute corruption effectively.

The coalition observed that KPK had carried out effective efforts in preventing and prosecuting corruption.

UNCAC saw that the efforts had significantly saved the country’s finances and that KPK has highly ben trusted by the public.

"Given the KPK's strong track record, we are worried over attempts to undermine its role," said UNCAC.

On December 18, 2003, Indonesia signed UNCAC and ratified it on September 19, 2006. The convention Article 6 and 36 noted that each country member must ensure the existence of an anti-graft body that specifically aims to prevent and eradicate corruption through law enforcement. The body must be independent in order to be able to carry out its functions effectively without intervention from any party.

MUHAMMAD HENDARTYO