TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The interim chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission or KPK Nawawi Pomolango said conflict of interest is not a mere seed of a corrupt act, but corruption itself.

Nawawi relayed the statement in response to the mind-numbing amount of political activities conducted by state officials ahead of the 2024 general elections, including Indonesia's president Jokowi Widodo or Jokowi. Recently, social assistance has been used as a campaign prop. "What is clear and seen often now is several state officials conducting activities in the scope of general elections," he said in a written statement on Thursday, Jan. 25.

According to Nawawi, conflict of interest must be regulated under the law to amend Law No. 28 of 1999 on clean governance. In a number of developed countries, Nawawi went on, conflict of interest is regarded with strict provisions. "Or added into the KPK Law as one of the instruments or systems that is managed for corruption prevention similar to LHKPN (wealth report) and gratification," he said.

On the other hand, the head of the KPK information department Ali Fikri said that the General Elections Supervisory Agency, or Bawaslu was the one holding the court against conflict of interest. "Bawaslu should have been the one to take action to prevent conflict of interest within the political contestation process," he said on Thursday.

Based on the report of Majalah Tempo, Jokowi delivered social assistance at the beginning of the year in Serang, Banteng. A month prior, the president distributed social assistance in several regions, including Labuan Bajo, Pekalongan, and Banyuwangi.

As recent as this week, Jokowi accompanied by First Lady Iriana Jokowi visited Klumpit Tingkir Soccer Field in Salatiga, Central Java to inspect social assistance distribution in the city.

Jokowi's maneuver with social assistance is suspected to have been connected with the concerted effort to win Gibran Rakabuming Raka. As Jokowi's oldest son, the 36-year-old Solo Mayor paired up with Prabowo Subianto as his vice presidential candidate to run in the upcoming general elections.

Not only that, social media has been aflame with a post on X by @Miduk17 showing what appeared to be a Bulog rice with a sticker of Prabowo-Gibran on it.

MUTIA YUANTISYA

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