Banyumas Regent's Statement Asking Regional Heads To Be Summoned Before OTT Is Considered A Misunderstanding

JAKARTA - Banyumas Regent Achmad Husein's request for regional heads to be summoned before the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducts hand arrest operations (OTT) has come under the spotlight. He is considered to have failed to understand the reason for the anti-corruption commission to carry out this silent operation.

A video less than one minute long shows a snippet of Banyumas Regent Achmad Husein's statement asking the KPK to call the regional head first before carrying out a silent operation. He reasoned, this activity made them afraid.

"We are regional heads, we are all afraid and don't want to be OTT. So we ask the KPK, before the OTT we are summoned first. If he changes later, then he is released, you know. But if he doesn't change, then he is arrested," the statement said. Achmad in a video re-uploaded by former KPK investigator, Aulia Postiera via her Twitter account @paidjodirajo.

This statement was then highlighted by Aulia. According to him, what Achmad conveyed could actually be the subject of discussion.

But on the other hand, Aulia is no longer surprised if corruption is still rampant in the country. This is because regional heads who are supposed to carry out the principles of good governance still have such thoughts.

"What the Regent said is a fact of what (which) is in the minds of many officials in this country. It is natural that corruption will never end. It is very sad," he said.

Apart from Aulia, former senior KPK investigator Novel Baswedan also commented on the video. According to him, the request from the Regent of Banyumas Achmad Husein shows a misunderstanding in interpreting the implementation of OTT.

"Bribery is in the Anti-Corruption Law called receiving a gift/promise. It means agreeing to accept (accepting a promise) it is already a completed crime. So (so) officers who want to OTT just have to see in the field whether the official is bribery," writes Novel on his Twitter account @nazaqistsha.

Even if the bribe was received, the task force team at the KPK would only have to ensnare them in the OTT. Thus, Novel considered the Banyumas Regent's request to be inappropriate because if the silent operation was announced first, it would be tantamount to giving a leak.

"If you say: "Before OTT was prevented first", that's a misunderstanding. Because almost always the act of accepting promises has been done. If you were told beforehand, it leaked OTT. Afraid of getting OTT? Yes, don't accept bribes," he said.

KPK chairman Firli Bahuri also spoke about the Banyumas Regent's request. According to him, regional heads, including Achmad Husein, need not be uncomfortable with the corruption eradication activities carried out by his party, including during the hand arrest operation (OTT).

According to him, every leader in the region is certainly safe from the anti-corruption commission if they work according to their duties and applicable rules. "Don't be uncomfortable with corruption eradication work, as long as you feel you are right in using state money and carrying out your mandate as a leader elected by the people," said Firli.

Not only that, the former deputy for prosecution of the Corruption Eradication Commission has asked regional heads, including Achmad Husein, not to worry about the anti-corruption commission's steps in ensnaring corruptors. Firli said they should focus on working by prioritizing the principles of good governance.

He also emphasized that the KPK would never give a leak to regional heads before conducting the OTT. However, Firli ensured that the actions taken by his subordinates were of course measurable and in accordance with the laws and regulations.

"We will continue to carry out preventive functions such as taking preventive measures so that corruption does not occur, supervision, coordination and monitoring in accordance with the mandate of Law Number 30 of 2002 as has been changed to Law Number 19 of 2019," said Firli.

"KPK is ready to coordinate prevention with all parties. But if there is corruption and there is sufficient evidence, it will be arrested," he concluded.