Alleged Mark Upmensh, MAKI Urges KPK To Be Active Don't Sit Sweetly Waiting For Report

MAKI Coordinator Boyamin Saiman (Wardhany Tsa Tsia/VOI)

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has been asked to immediately trace the alleged mark-up budget in the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Rail (KCJB) project.

The pressure was conveyed by the Coordinator of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI), Boyamin Saiman, who assessed that the KPK should not remain silent waiting for the report.

"If the suspicion (mark up) is possible. The glasses are simple, that in the past Japan offered cheaper costs, but after being taken over by China it became more expensive, both from the volume of the project value and the loan. That alone could lead to allegations of irregularities," Boyamin told VOI, Thursday, October 23.

He also mentioned allegations of irregularities in the process of building a fast train line, including the construction of piles that support rails.

"It is suspected that there is a lack of specifications. Therefore, it must be followed up and investigated by the KPK. All of this must be done without waiting for the report," he said.

Boyamin emphasized that the KPK has the authority to carry out investigations, investigations, and prosecutions of corruption crimes, as well as supervise other law enforcement officers. Therefore, it is considered that the KPK does not need to wait for complaints to start an investigation.

"The police can only handle cases with a model A report, meaning their own findings. If the KPK requires a reporter, it is inconsequential. In the law of eradicating corruption, there are no such conditions," he asserted.

According to him, the KPK should actively follow up on findings of alleged corruption, including by utilizing its authority to carry out hand arrest operations (OTT) if strong indications of violations have been found.

"If there are indications and the KPK is silent, it violates the law. I can sue the KPK for pretrial if it does not handle it, because it is their obligation," he said.

Boyamin also assessed that the KPK's attitude in asking other parties, such as Mahfud MD, to report first actually showed the weak initiative of the anti-corruption agency.

"If you require Mr. Mahfud to report it is even more wrong. If the police find data from the trash can, they can be followed up. This KPK is really inconsequential and looking for the good itself. It has been assigned by the state, it is paid by the state, but if you just sit behind the desk waiting for a report, it is not the KPK anymore," he concluded.