Bappenas Denies There Will Be Discussion Of The KPK Will Be Merged By The Ombudsman

JAKARTA - The Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (PPN/Bappenas) denied that there was a discussion on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) being merged with the Ombudsman. This institution also stated that it had never spoken about the issue.

This was conveyed in response to information from Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) which stated that there was a meeting discussing the merger of the two institutions. Deputy for Politics, Law, Defense and Security at Bappenas Bogat Widyatmoko said his agency was actually trying to strengthen anti-corruption behavior.

"The Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas has never issued a statement related to the merger with the Ombudsman, nor has the removal of the field of prosecution at the KPK," Bogat said in a written statement, Wednesday, April 3.

Bogat said that Bappenas is now trying to strengthen anti-corruption systems and institutions such as the KPK.

"This includes efforts to increase capacity, transparency, and accountability of related institutions, as well as strengthen cooperation between the government, private sector, and civil society in joint efforts to create a clean and integrity Indonesia," he said.

"The Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas supports the prevention of corruption through the KPK," continued Bogat.

Previously reported, Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher Kurnia Ramadhana agreed that his party heard the news that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) would be merged with the Ombudsman. The meeting is even said to have been held.

This was conveyed by Kurnia when attending a public discussion entitled Corruption Eradication: Reflection and Hope' held by the KPK. Initially, he did not heed the information because he considered it an unclear news of his origin.

"So at first many said, 'ICW friends have heard not that there is a plan for the KPK to take action to be removed as a precaution'. At first we didn't heed it but gradually the information became more detailed," said Kurnia in a discussion at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Tuesday, April 2.

Kurnia said that one of the information received by her party was that there was a meeting to discuss the merger. "This has been discussed at Bappenas, the plan is to make the KPK, a corruption prevention agency, merge into the Ombudsman," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairperson of the KPK Alexander Marwata said the possibility of merging the KPK and the Indonesian Ombudsman was very open. He said that South Korea had done the same thing.

"(Is there really a plan for the KPK to be merged with the Indonesian Ombudsman, ed) so far the leadership has not received that information. But is there a possibility? Yes. We learn from South Korea," Alexander said in the same discussion.