TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Political observer Ari Dwipayana said selection of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) members is in a critical state because the BPK has a potential to become an entrance for political interests that do not seek realization of good governance.
“If the closed voting mechanism is still conducted, it will become an entrance for the Merah Putih Coalition to strengthen its position in the government,” Arin told Tempo on Sunday.
He feared that if the BPK is dominated by the Merah Putih Coalition, the agency will be just used as a political instrument. “BPK will lose its main function as a check-and-balance agency for state budget and finance,” he said, adding that BPK could become just become a tool to bargain and pressure the government in the future.
Regarding the requirements, BPK members should resign from parties if they want to become a member. Ari said it would even be more ideal if BPK prospective members have resigned from their parties for a year because it would be effective in preventing political interests from dominating BPK.
Ari further said indicators and criteria to become members must also be open to the public. “BPK is not only about representation because it has an audit functions that is very vital for good governance implementation,” he said.
He explained that the people must know who are chosen and why they were chosen. “With that, public trust in state administration’s accountability can be maintained,” he said.
DINI PRAMITA