ICW Questions KPK's Decision to Drop 36 Cases

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) questioned the decision of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to cease the investigation of 36 cases in 2020. The cases allegedly involved in higher-up officials, such as regional heads and law enforcers.

“Don’t let KPK leaders abusing their power in deciding to stop investigating cases,” said the ICW researcher Wana Alamsyah in a written statement in Jakarta, Thursday, February 20.

Moreover, Wana stated the fact that the newly-appointed chairman of the anti-graft body Firli Bahuri is an active policeman, raising concerns that the latter’s appointment might spark a conflict of interest. “Especially with regards to cases that associate with law enforcers.”

The KPK acting spokesman Ali Fikri earlier announced that the investigation of 36 cases would be halted. “Including cases of alleged corruption by regional heads, SOEs, law enforcers, ministries, institutions, and the House of Representatives (DPR) or the Regional Legislative Council (DPRD),” Ali outlined.

Ali explained the decision was based on Article 5 of the KPK Law noting that the investigation of a case cannot be resumed if there is no element of criminal violation.

However, Wana argued that the termination of a case during the investigation stage should be through a pretrial hearing involving investigators up to prosecutors. “So do those cases dropped by KPK have been brought up to a pretrial motion?” 

FAJAR PEBRIANTO