Corruption Perceptions Index Drops; Mahfud MD Says 'Perceptions are Not Facts'
Translator
Ricky Mohammad Nugraha
Editor
Laila Afifa
Kamis, 28 Januari 2021 22:11 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, on Thursday said he was not surprised by Indonesia’s dropping corruption perceptions index (CPI) in 2020.
"I am not surprised or even object that our corruption perceptions index is now 37," said Mahfud on January 28.
The minister reacted to the report by asserting that perceptions are different from facts, "Perceptions are not facts, it is an image perceived by someone after they observe something," he said.
Previously reported, Transparency International Indonesia (TII) announced that Indonesia’s CPI in 2020 had dropped three points compared to 2019 with 40 to 37. The watchdog said this has ranked Indonesia 102nd worldwide and fifth in Southeast Asia.
Mahfud MD claimed that the dropping position was caused by two aspects. The first is the controversy surrounding the changes to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Law that has a sentiment suggesting the anti-graft agency is weakened by the new law. The second reason is the public outcry caused by the release and reduction of punishments for corruptors.
Read: The More Corrupt a Country is, the Less Spent on Healthcare, Says TII
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