Many Officials Have Not Reported Their Assets, KPK Chair: Maybe Because There Are Results Of Corruption

KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri (Photo: KPK Public Relations)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri, said that the Public Administration of State Assets Report (LHKPN) which can be freely accessed by the public is an early detection tool for corrupt behavior.

Thus, it is natural for the public to be suspicious when officials cover up their assets by not reporting their wealth to the KPK.

"There is nothing wrong with officials who are reluctant to report assets, people think that there is something hidden. Perhaps it is because there is corruption," said Firli via a thread on his Twitter account @firlibahuri quoted Thursday, November 11.

He then explained that LHKPN's obligations had been regulated since the issuance of Law Number 28 Number 1999 concerning State Organizers that were Clean and Free of KKN, which was later strengthened through the KPK Law.

However, there are still many state officials who neglect to report their wealth. One of them is a high-ranking Regional Owned Enterprise (BUMD).

Firli said that this year, there were only 202 of 1,094 or 18.46 percent of officials in BUMD who reported their assets. In fact, the reporting deadline has passed seven months since March 31 last.

Not only non-compliance, but Firli also revealed that 95 percent of the LHKPN data turned out to be inaccurate. "Many state administrators are dishonest in reporting their assets. Starting from land, buildings, bank accounts, to other investments, they have something to hide," said the former Deputy for Enforcement of the KPK.

However, the anti-corruption commission cannot do much because there are no strict sanctions for officials who do not comply with reporting LHKPN and concealing wealth. For this reason, the KPK wants to strengthen at the legislative level because waiting for awareness is not enough.

"To fix it, there is no point in waiting for the awareness of all state administrators! Solving these problems requires a strong political commitment at the legislative level," said Firli.

He said the DPR RI together with the government should be able to work out sanctions rules so that officials obey in reporting their wealth. This provision, continued Firli, can be done by revising Law Number 28 of 1999 which has regulated the provision of administrative sanctions.

"The non-compliance of reporting assets for public officials is one of the corrupt mentalities that must be eradicated! Therefore, we urge @DPR_RI and the government to draw up sanctions rules that can force state officials to comply with reporting wealth," said Firli.

"It's also time to present the rules of reverse proof for state officials. They must be able to prove that their assets were not obtained from the proceeds of corruption. In this way, corruption prevention can only be achieved," he concluded.