Fabian Januarius Kuwado, Jakarta – Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) believes that the composition of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Candidate Leader Selection Committee (Pansel Capim KPK), which is made up of five government and four community representatives, is not ideal.
ICW researcher Diky Anandya says that the composition opens the potential for a conflict of interests because the selection committee is dominated by the government.
Anandya conveyed these criticisms during an online discussion on the Friends of ICW YouTube channel ahead of the formation of the KPK leadership selection committee for the period 2024-2029.
"Why? Because earlier, the potential for a conflicts of interest and intervention in decisions in the selection process emerging is actually big if it's dominated by government elements", said Anandya on Sunday May 12.
Anandya said that the issue of a conflict of interests is one of the three main points in ICW's input on the selection committee that will soon be formed by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.
According to Anandya, Widodo thanks to his political position has all the tools to trace someone's background, from their work history, legal history and political affiliations.
"It's this that must then be of concern, the Pansel should not be a tool to pass certain candidates on the basis of a special closeness possessed by members of the Pansel and a candidate", he said.
In addition, ICW also emphasised that members of the selection committee must have the competence or capability to understand the situation of eradicating corruption, especially as the KPK's performance has continued to worsen.
The selection committee must also consider the integrity of KPK leadership candidates. In this case, they must be open to and listen to community input.
Reflecting on what happened in 2019, the KPK leadership selection committee in fact completely ignored input from community organisations.
They also ignored input from the active KPK leaders regarding Firli Bahuri, who had a track record of ethical violations when serving as the KPK's deputy for enforcement.
The suggestions however were ignored until President Widodo selected him as the new KPK chairperson and Bahuri continued committing ethical violations until he was declared a suspect by police last year.
"When there was input from civil society organisation regarding the track record of the candidates, it was instead answered by one of the committee members who said that the Pansel was not a means of satisfying civil society organisations", said Anandya.
Earlier, presidential special staff coordinator Ari Dwipayana said that the formation of a KPK leadership selection committee for the period 2024-2029 will be announced in May.
According to Dwipayana the formation of the committee is still in process and it will be composed of five government and four civil society representatives.
"The formation of the KPK Capim Pansel is still in process, the plan is that it will be announced this month", said Dwipayana when sought for confirmation by Kompas.com on Wednesday May 8.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "ICW Kritik Komposisi Pansel Capim KPK: Rentan Disusupi Konflik Kepentingan".]
