Anti-Corruption Commission’s Result Criticized
Tuesday, 02 January, 2007 | 17:03 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The result of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in 2006 is regarded as not being equivalent with the budget spent. With a Rp250 billion budget, the anti-corruption commission has only got hold of Rp39.7 billion from corruptors. “The result is pitiable,” said House of Representatives (DPR) Law Commission Head, Trimedya Panjaitan, when contacted by Tempo yesterday (1/1).

According to him, KPK should have acquired more money from corruptors. “KPK must take strict actions and be strong in securing the state’s money,” he said.

In the final report of 2006 announced on Thursday (28/12), KPK stated that the total of the state losses which can be taken from investigation until the prosecution process is Rp14 billion. From seized goods--including cars, buses, paintings, jewelry and land—and fines and compensation of corruption losses from cases that have been sentenced, the total is Rp25.7 billion.

Trimedya stressed that KPK handled cases with state losses totaled above Rp50 billion although the decree stated that the super body can already investigate alleged corruption cases above Rp1 billion.

KPK spokesperson, Johan Budi S.P., said KPK has tried its best to return the state’s losses. According to him, all of these depend on the anti-corruption court judges who sentence the case. “KPK prosecutes as high as possible. The one to carry out the sentencing is the judge,” he said.

Johan said that the amount of state losses which are to be returned by KPK is actually above Rp100 billion. But, according to him, the amount is still being processed because it still has no permanent legal strength. “Potential means what can be prosecuted by KPK,” said Johan.

Regarding the Rp250 billion budget, Johan said the budget is not only used for actions—investigation and prosecution—but also for KPK operational. For example building maintenance, equipment, regular cost, employee salary and prevention cost. “Prevention activity such as bureaucratic reformation and anti-corruption education, cannot be calculated with money,” he said.

Tito Sianipar