TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Two state law enforcers, the National Police and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), has surprisingly clashed several times in the past.
In theory, both institutions should be able to work hand-in-hand in solving corruption cases, but reality has shown otherwise. The confrontations between both institutions were so apparent that it gave birth to the infamous term ‘Cicak vs Buaya’, or lizards against crocodiles, which was publically mentioned by a Police high-ranking officer.
The following are instances when the police clashed with the KPK throughout the anti-corruption agency’s existence in Indonesia.
1. Wiretapping case triggered the ‘Cicak VS Buaya’
The term that despised KPK, viewing the agency as a mere lizard against police’s dominating authority was set off by Susno Duaji who served as the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Corps (Bareskrim) director in 2009.
Susno’s analogy was his personal take on the public dispute between the two agencies after KPK had wiretapped Susno Duaji’s mobile phone for his alleged involvement in the Bank Century corruption case.
2. Vehicle simulator corruption
The second time KPK clashed with police was when the Head of Traffic Police Corps Djoko Susilo was named as suspect of corruption in 2012. He was involved in the vehicle simulator procurement project and was guilty of money laundering.
Months after the KPK officially named Djoko Susilo as a suspect, on October 5, 2012, dozens of police mobile brigade (Brimob) members surrounded KPK Headquarters. Police intended to arrest KPK investigator Novel Baswedan for an assault case. Police failed to do so after activists rallied to KPK headquarters and formed a human wall to prevent police from entering the office.
3. KPK named Police Commissioner a suspect
On January 13, 2015, KPK named Comm. Gen. Budi Gunawan as a suspect of gratification. This was just four days after President Joko Widodo or Jokowi recommended Budi Gunawan as to the DPR as the sole candidate for the Indonesian National Police Chief.
Ten days after Budi Gunawan’s suspect naming, on January 23, 2015, police suddenly detained KPK Deputy Chairman Bambang Widjojanto. He was released the day after following tremendous pressure and protests from the general public and activists.
RICKY M. NUGRAHA
