Alleged Maladministration in TWK; ICW Urges Firli Bahuri to Step Down

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) urged Firli Bahuri to immediately step down as the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Chairman. 

The demand was echoed after the Indonesian Ombudsman released its findings on alleged maladministration in the implementation of the National Insight Test (TWK) for KPK employees. The Ombudsman stated there were violations in the procedures, administration, and law enforcement related to the test.

ICW researcher Kurnia Ramadhana said there were also many controversial policies under Firli’s leadership. Kurnia opined that Firli had tarnished the anti-graft body’s reputation, particularly in the handling of corruption cases.

“Firli’s mission as the KPK Chairman has gradually come to light. After successfully tearing apart the KPK with his controversial policies and dismissing employees with integrity, Firli has again succeeded in lowering the public trust in the anti-corruption agency,” Kurnia said in a written statement on Friday, July 23.

ICW observed that Firli, a former police general, had violated his oath of office as a KPK leader as stipulated in Article 35 paragraph (2) of the KPK Law.

“Other than the decrease in the number of OTT (sting operations), other issues that have come into the public spotlight include the KPK’s failure to arrest fugitive Harun Masiku. Moreover, Firli allegedly protects a number of politicians in the social aid corruption case,” ICW wrote.

ICW further mentioned that many parties also accused that information leaks prior to the OTT often occurred during Firli Bahuri's reign, such as during the search in the tax bribery case in South Kalimantan.

Read: Opposing the KPK Destroyer

MEGA SAFITRI | ROSSENO AJI