KPK: Financing For Official Travel By The Organizing Committee Is Not Gratuity, Moreover, Bribery

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) emphasized that the financing of official travel for its employees in accordance with KPK Leadership Regulation Number 6 of 2021 is not a form of gratification or bribery. Moreover, this financing is called the KPK has a nominal standard.

This was conveyed by the Secretary General of the KPK, Cahya H Harefa, in response to the criticism that arose over the changes in regulations related to official travel for employees which were now borne by the organizing committee.

"KPK reminds again that official travel costs are operational costs to carry out an activity that is regulated and has a nominal standard, not gratification or bribery," said Cahya in a press conference broadcast on the Indonesian KPK YouTube, Monday, August 9.

He explained that the adjustment to this rule was the aftermath of the transfer of the KPK's employee status to the State Civil Apparatus (ASN) since June 1. In addition, this rule is also adjusted to the Regulation of the Minister of Finance Number 113/PMK/05/2012 concerning Domestic Official Travel for State Officials, Civil Servants, and Non-Permanent Employees.

Thus, the cost of official travel is only borne by the committee if the employee will attend meetings, seminars, and similar activities.

"However, in the event that the organizing committee does not cover the costs of their official travel, the costs will be borne by the KPK budget by taking into account the absence of double financing and prioritizing budget efficiency," explained Cahya.

He explained that the KPK could also bear the travel costs of related parties in joint activities. However, all of these official travel financing activities only apply between ministries.

"This regulation does not apply to cooperation with the private sector," he said.

In addition, Cahya also emphasized that employees are still not allowed to receive honorariums when they become resource persons while carrying out KPK duties.

"Financing sharing is also one of the implementations of the KPK code of ethics: Synergy with other stakeholders in carrying out the tasks of eradicating corruption," he said.

Cahya said that there were no loopholes in corruption or conflicts of interest in this financing process. Because in its implementation, the employees will be closely monitored by the Supervisory Board and the KPK Inspectorate.

Not only that, travel financing in case handling will also be carried out by the KPK. This decision was taken solely to avoid anticipating a conflict of interest.

"Financing the process of handling a case to anticipate conflicts of interest, the KPK has decided that all these activities will continue to use the KPK budget," he concluded.