1,271 KPK Employees Inauguration Is Considered A Form Of Arrogance And Makes KPK 'Stronger'

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has inaugurated thousands of its employees who passed the National Insight Test Assessment (TWK) as State Civil Apparatus (ASN). The inauguration which was carried out even though hundreds of employees asked for a delay as a form of solidarity with their 75 colleagues was then considered a form of arrogance.

KPK chairman Firli Bahuri officially inaugurated 1,271 employees who had passed the national insight test (TWK) as employees of the state civil apparatus (ASN). A total of 53 employees were appointed in the room. Meanwhile, the rest took part in the online inauguration to maintain health protocols.

The inauguration began with the reading of the Presidential Decree No. 87/TPA of 2021 concerning middle-high leadership positions within the KPK setting the Secretary-General of the KPK Cahya Hardianto Harefa and the Deputy for Prevention and Monitoring of the KPK Pahala Nainggolan as civil servants.

Next, Harefa and Pahala read the oath as echelon 1A ASN employees. Followed by the reading of the oath of the echelon KPK employees below him.

"I solemnly declare and promise that to be appointed as a civil servant, I will obey Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, the state, and the government. That I will obey all applicable laws and regulations and carry out the official duties entrusted to me," said Firli while guiding the oath of office at the KPK Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Tuesday, June 1.

In a press conference held after taking the oath, Firli claimed that all KPK employees who passed the TWK attended the inauguration of the transition to become ASN employees in physical or online presence.

"The total number of KPK employees who attended the inauguration of KPK employees as ASN on June 1, 2021, was 1,271 employees or all who met the requirements to be inducted," he said.

In detail, there are 2 middle high leadership positions, 10 Pratama high leadership positions, 13 administrator positions, and 1,246 functional and executive officeholders.

Actually, there were 1,274 KPK employees who were declared eligible because they had passed the TWK. However, there were 3 people who were not appointed because each of them resigned, did not meet the educational requirements, and died.

After being sworn in as ASN, these employees will carry out a briefing orientation. Later, the KPK will coordinate with the State Administration Agency (LAN).

Appointments are considered a form of arrogance

With 1,271 employees still being inducted in the midst of the TWK polemic and requests for postponement from hundreds of KPK employees, Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) considers this to be a form of arrogance from the leadership of the anti-corruption commission, which is commanded by Firli.

"ICW is of the view that the inauguration of KPK employees to become ASN which is reportedly held today is a tangible form of the arrogance of the KPK leadership," said ICW researcher Kurnia Ramadhana in a written statement, Tuesday, June 1.

Not only that, but he said that this inauguration further strengthens the suspicion that TWK is a tool to get rid of 75 employees with integrity, and one of them, KPK investigator Novel Baswedan. Thus, ICW urges President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to continue to appoint 75 failed KPK employees as ASN.

"On that basis, ICW urges the President to immediately issue a decree to appoint 75 employees who were originally declared ineligible to become State Civil Apparatus," said Kurnia.

Meanwhile, the former Director for the Development of the Inter-Commission Network and Agencies (PJKAKI) KPK Sujarnako considers the inauguration of this employee to be in accordance with Firli Bahuri's ideals. He also said that the former Deputy for Enforcement of the KPK had won the first round of the fight.

"Congratulations to Firli Bahuri, finally what he has been dreaming of for a long time has been achieved. He has won the first round," said Sujanarko in a written statement.

This inauguration is also considered to be good news for the oligarchs. He quipped that this would further strengthen the KPK in the future.

"Of course this is good news for the oligarchs, finally the KPK has really become very strong. This also proves Firli's extraordinary mentality regarding solidarity. With this kindness, hopefully, Firli will be categorized as going to heaven," he said.

Even so, he considers the battle between 75 employees who were declared not to have passed the TWK and Firli Bahuri and friends will still continue. So, he asked the dozens of employees to continue to prepare strategies and stamina.

"For 75 friends (who didn't pass TWK, ed), how about you get hooked and fall in the first round. The battle is still long, prepare your strategy, stamina, and don't forget to pray," he concluded.