President Jokowi Weighs in on Controversial KPK Civics Test Results

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Monday officially asked stakeholders to not use the civic knowledge test (TWK) as the basis to determine the future of Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) employees. He also insisted that the 75 employees who failed the civics test should not entirely be fired. 

“The results of the TWK tests for KPK employees should be seen as an input for steps to improve KPK, individuals or institutions, and not as an absolute basis to terminate the 75 KPK employees who failed the civics test,” said President Jokowi in his statement on May 17.

The widely controversial civic knowledge test was initially made as one of many requirements KPK employees must undergo to transition into an official state-apparatus (ASN), which the President believed was a way to help establish a more systematic anti-corruption movement. 

“If they have shortcomings, I’d argue they still have a chance to fix it through state education on national insights,” said Jokowi.

The President also cited Law No.19/2019 on the second changes to the KPK Law, which states that the transition of KPK employees from independent to state apparatus must not be detrimental to KPK employees’ rights.

Read: KPK Civic Knowledge Test Blasted for 'Unethical and Sexist' Questions

EGI ADYATAMA