Corruption Eradication Committee Asked to Maximize Witness Protection
Monday, 04 December, 2006 | 15:18 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) has asked that the Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK) maximize its performance as regards witness protection in the corruption case report system in the institution. According to the Coordinator of Law and Monitoring Division of the Court at ICW Emerson Yuntho, people are reluctant reporting corruption cases to the KPK since there is pressure from many parties, especially from threatened parties. “Such an anxiety hampers the work of the KPK,” said Emerson when contacted yesterday (12/3).

According to him, based on the ICW's watch, at least there were 22 cases of counter-threats to reporters of corruption cases in various regions in Indonesia. The reporting witnesses, said Emerson, received counter claims because they were considered as polluting the reported people's name. “Therefore, witness protection must be maximized,” he said.

Deputy Head of the Corruption Eradication Committee Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas said on Friday (12/1) that ever since KPK's establishment three years ago, there were around 16 thousand cases that people reported to the institution. Of the many reports, he said, those that could be followed up were only one percent. “There were indeed cases that had been handed over to the police and the district attorney’s office,” he said. He has also said that not all reported cases can be categorized as corruption crimes since they must be selected.

Erry has acknowledged that KPK's performance was not maximum, especially the prevention division. Therefore, he said, KPK is getting out the word for preventing corruption crimes through campaigns of corruption eradication. He cited the campaign as aiming at helping people realize to have courage to report as well as to have spirit in eradicating corruption.

SANDY INDRA PRATAMA