TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia Corruption Watch or ICW suspected that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) attempted to avoid investigating the alleged corruption committed by the former Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police Chief Sr. Comr. Edwin Hatorangan Hariandja.

ICW made the suspicion because of the anti-graft body's statement that asked the public to report the alleged corruption case.

“We suspect that the KPK's statement is just an attempt to avoid the institution's responsibility to take action against alleged corruption,” said ICW researcher Kurnia Ramadhana in a written statement, Tuesday, September 6, 2022.

Kurnia emphasized that KPK is tasked to clean up law enforcement institutions from corruption. Thus, the KPK does not need to wait for public reports to launch an investigation. After all, he added, the alleged graft case by Edwin had been known by many as the National Police fired him over an ethics violation. “It is odd for KPK to make the statement,” Kurnia said.

On Monday, September 5, the KPK asked the public to report the alleged corruption of the former Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police Chief in response to the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation's investigation request. KPK spokesman Ali Fikri demanded the report be completed with valid preliminary data.

Ali has not yet responded to Tempo’s request for confirmation regarding the ICW’s accusation.

The former Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police Chief Sr. Comr. Edwin Hatorangan Hariandja and his members were fired dishonorably after they were proven to have committed unprofessionalism and abuse of authority in dealing with drug cases.

M ROSSENO AJI

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