Astri Yuanasari, Lea Citra, Jakarta – Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher Kurnia Ramadhana believes that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is not serious about dealing with the bribery case involving ensuring a seat for a lawmaker from the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) in the House of Representatives (DPR).
Ramadhana says that it has been almost a month since the KPK declared PDI-P politician Harun Masiku a suspect in the case, but his whereabouts remain unknown and he has still not been arrested. Yet it is clear that Masiku is in Indonesia.
“Yes, this shows that the KPK isn’t serious about handling the bribery case involving Harun Masiku. We could compare this with other searches such as [former Democrat Party treasurer Muhammad] Nazaruddin who was only found after 77 days. But we must look again, Nazaruddin was actually in Columbia, far away. He [Masiku] is clearly in Indonesia but to this day he hasn’t be found”, Ramadhana told KBR on Wednesday February 5.
Ramadhana is asking the KPK to provide a time-fame on when the anti-corruption agency will be able arrest Masiku, because public trust in the KPK is beginning to decline.
Ramadhana also said that the failure to arrest Masiku has also given rise to the view that the KPK leadership wants to protect the ruling political party.
“During the KPK leadership selection process [last year], I think that it was revealed to the public, the KPK leadership today, [KPK Chairperson] Firli Bahuri admitted to once meeting with one of the ruling party’s leaders. If true, it would be reasonable to suspect that a desire to protect the ruling party could well be happening [again]”, he said in conclusion.
Police hunt
Indonesian police chief Idham Azis meanwhile claims that they have already disseminated information about Masiku through the Wanted Person’s List (DPO) sent to 540 district police (Polres) headquarters throughout Indonesia.
Azis stated that the police will assist and endeavour to find Masiku in accordance with a request from the KPK.
“[He’s been included in] all DPO to all Polda [regional police]. To 34 Polda, 540 Polres. The DPO has already been received. So all Polri [Indonesian police] throughout Indonesia already have a DPO on the suspect HM (Harun Masiku). We can only pray that hopefully later if for example Polri finds him, of course will hand him over to the KPK. Our position is to provide assistance, to the KPK, based on a letter which was submitted to Polri”, said Azis at the central office of the insurance company Jasa Raharja on Wednesday February 5.
Azis claimed that the police would try to arrest Masiku as quickly as possible although he did not provide any details or what else exactly is being done by the police to find him.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “ICW: KPK Tidak Serius Tangani Suap PAW Caleg PDIP”.]
Source: https://kbr.id/berita/02-2020/icw__kpk_tidak_serius_tangani_suap_paw_caleg_pdip/102193.html
