KPK Supervisory Body is Gate of Intervention, Says Watchdog

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The secretary-general of a global graft watchdog Transparency International Indonesia, Dadang Trisasongko, said that the existence of supervisory board as stipulated in the revisions of the Corruption Eradication Commission or KPK Law opens a gate of political intervention to the body.

“In this current political context and that of the next five years, the board creates a gap of political intervention to the law enforcement process of KPK. This is taming KPK,” said Dadang in Jakarta, Monday, September 15.

According to Dadang, KPK was established by the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) due to many issues inside the law enforcement bodies, such as police, prosecutor’s office, courts, etc. Yet, those issues are still lingering to date.

Therefore, he asserted, KPK must be freed from the influence of any institutions’ authorities. However, the existence of the Supervisory Board means the independency of KPK potentially be toppled.

Dadang went on to say that KPK presently has a good monitoring system, through its collective-collegial leadership between its higher-ups. Also, the KPK is tightly monitored by the internal supervisory body and the House’s Law Commission.

“That means, there already is a check and balance between KPK commissioners. Not to mention the internal supervisory board and monitoring by DPR’s Commission III,” he concluded.

DIAS PRASONGKO