The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Ensures That The Pursuit Of Fugitives Remains In The Midst Of Budget Efficiency

Iustration of the KPK building in Kuningan, South Jakarta. (Between)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Setyo Budiyanto ensured that the pursuit of fugitives was not affected by budget efficiency. The activities that have been planned will continue to be carried out.

"Nothing, not affected (the pursuit of fugitives by the KPK, ed)," said Setyo, who was present online at the launch of the 2024 corruption perception index (IPK) by Transparency International (TI), Tuesday, February 11.

"This means that it also shows a government commitment to the KPK not to cut in the operational sector. So we can still carry out activities according to the plans that have been made for 2025," he continued.

Even so, Setyo agrees that the efficiency instructed by President Prabowo Subianto's government will more or less affect his institution. One of them is related to official travel.

"Our operations do not (reduce the budget, ed) but for official travel, yes, some have been reduced," said the former Inspector General of the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan).

Setyo did not mention the nominal reduction in the budget. "No matter how much it is cut, it must be quite large. Because it affects institutional operations a little more because operations are related to official travel. There is no official travel fee, we will not be able to carry out operations," he explained.

The KPK, called Setyo, will continue to try to follow efficiency instructions. "We are investigating this," he said.

One of the tactics carried out, continued Setyo, is by utilizing office facilities as much as possible for training and other activities. In addition, the KPK also adjusts the number of employees in carrying out their duties.

As for now, the KPK is still looking for its fugitive. They are Harun Masiku who has been on the run since January 17, 2020; Kirana Kotama or Thay Ming has been on the wanted list since June 15, 2017; and Emylia Said and Herwansyah who have been on the run since May 30, 2022.

Meanwhile, Paulus Tannos alias Thian Po Thjin has been arrested by Singapore CPIB at the request of the National Police Divhubinter. The repatriation process through the extradition agreement is still ongoing within 45 days of forced efforts.