KPK Chairman Says Leadership Directives Could Be The Beginning Of Corruption Practices

KPK (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Setyo Budiyanto said corruption could occur because the struggle was not even impossible because there was a leadership directive. Moreover, if the fraudulent practice includes fictitious projects to procurement that are not as needed.

This was conveyed by Setyo in front of the ranks of Directors of Detectives throughout Indonesia while attending the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Rakernis) Technical Working Meeting (Rakernis) for the 2025 Fiscal Year online and offline at the Police Criminal Investigation Hall, South Jakarta, Wednesday, April 16.

"Usually this mode is carried out by conspiracy, not only by technical implementers but also by the direction of the leadership. This is not a new thing and the danger is that if this leak turns into culture, it is even considered local wisdom," Setyo said as quoted from the KPK's official statement, Saturday, April 19.

Setyo then highlighted the surge in the state budget deficit which reached IDR 309.2 trillion as of October 2024, or the equivalent of 1.37 percent of GDP due to leakage. This figure is said to have more than doubled compared to August 2024 which was only IDR 153.7 trillion.

This condition, continued Setyo, is considered not only due to fiscal inability but also related to budget management that is prone to manipulation. Thus, he reminded the need for strategic consolidation between law enforcement officers such as the KPK and the National Police.

"We must synergize in building a system that is truly transparent and accountable with full law enforcement. Because no matter how good the system is, there is still a risk if there is no seriousness in law enforcement," said the former Director of KPK Investigation.

At least, there are several strategies that can be done. In terms of prevention, Setyo said, strict supervision can be carried out by utilizing digitization, transparency, strengthening the role of the Integrity Assessment Survey (SPI), anti-corruption education, accountability, and optimizing the Gratification Control Unit (UPG) and whistleblowing systems (WBS).

"Meanwhile, in terms of law enforcement, action must be taken effectively and efficiently, with a justice approach to provide a deterrent effect and definite benefits for the community," he explained.

Setyo also highlighted that optimizing the recovery of state financial losses through the asset recovery mechanism must also be carried out. There are several ways that can be done, such as applying additional penalties in the form of replacement money, seizing goods resulting from corruption to utilizing confiscated assets.

He said the KPK had carried out asset recovery in 2024 and returned Rp739.6 billion to the state. Setyo said this method is important so that the benefits of efforts to eradicate corruption can be felt.

"Please handle the case, but hopefully there will be asset recovery. There will be returns that can be done in order to reduce the country's deficit. Because if we don't do that, it's over," concluded Setyo.