Report on KPK Spokesperson Considered Potentially Backfire on Corruptors

JAKARTA - Former senior investigator of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Praswad Nugraha, assessed the report against KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to the Metro Jaya Police by a witness to the case of bribery of the import of goods at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise as a potential counterattack against law enforcement efforts.

According to him, every pressure or legal step that leads to the KPK apparatus, including the spokesperson must be viewed critically.

"All forms of pressure or reporting that have the potential to hinder law enforcement work should be suspected as part of a weakening effort. If this process continues, it has the potential to be an indication of a counterattack from corruptors or interested parties against handling cases," said Praswad in a written statement, Wednesday, April 22.

Praswad said that the statement made by Budi as the KPK Spokesperson was part of the official duty in providing information to the public, without going into the substance of the case.

"As former KPK investigators for 15 years, we do not see any false statements from the information provided by the KPK spokesperson because he did not mention the substance or material of the case," he said.

"He did not reveal evidence, motives, nor conclude whether an event was a crime or not," continued Praswad.

Furthermore, Praswad said, public communication carried out by the spokesperson is part of the mandate of law enforcement institutions which are protected by law.

"This statement merely explains that investigators are conducting the process of digging up information and collecting evidence as part of the applicable legal procedures. Thus, there is no violation in the communication conveyed to the public," he said.

In the future, Praswad reminded that there should be no criminalization of KPK personnel who are carrying out their duties.

"There must be no criminalization of KPK officers, including spokespersons who are carrying out their duties," he said.

The civil society coalition, continued Praswad, will be at the forefront to defend the KPK apparatus from various forms of pressure that have the potential to weaken the eradication of corruption.

"We emphasize that there should be no criminalization of the spokesperson or other KPK officers, and we urge that this reporting process not be continued if it has the potential to lead to criminalization," he concluded.