TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government decided to cut Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK) budget by Rp 257.6 bilion (US$19.3 million). In 2016, KPK received Rp 991.8 billion (US$74.5 million) while in 2017, the Commission only received Rp 734.2 billion (US$55.2 billion).
"This is probably related to the government budget cut programs in many sectors," KPK chief Agus Rahardjo said during a press conference at the KPK building on Monday, January 9, 2017.
However, Agus said that his institution would continue to recruit staff, as the Finance Ministry and the Directorate General of Buget had given their assurances.
"We were promised by the Finance Minister and the director general of budget that all new staff will be appointed this January, and that their necessities will be guaranteed," Agus added.
Agus explained that the anti-graft commission had recruited 131 new staff who would start to work within the next two or three months.
This year the KPK will also open the 12th recruitment aiming at filling 400 positions. By 2016, the KPK had employed 1,124 people, including 139 researchers, 96 investigators, and 80 general prosecutors.
MAYA AYU PUSPITASARI