ICW Values There Should Be Criminal Sanctions For Officials Who Do Not Report Their Wealth

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JAKARTA - Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher Kurnia Ramadhana assesses that sanctions in the form of criminal penalties need to be given to officials who fail to submit the State Administrators Wealth Report (LHKPN). Moreover, many officials do not report their assets when they are new to office, periodically, and when they finish their term of office.

"It is important for legislators to immediately criminalize with the threat of imprisonment for state officials who do not comply with reporting on LHKPN," Kurnia told reporters, Sunday, November 14.

One of the officials mentioned by Kurnia who is not diligent in reporting his wealth is the Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri. He said, while serving as Kapolda in a number of provinces, the former Deputy for Enforcement of the KPK did not obey in submitting his LHKPN.

"Firli did not comply with this. Based on KPK data, Firli is known to have not reported his assets when ending his position as West Nusa Tenggara Police Chief, starting his position as South Sumatra Police Chief, and also when ending his position as South Sumatra Police Chief," he said.

Thus, it is necessary to impose sanctions in the form of criminal penalties against recalcitrant officials. Kurnia reasons that this is important because administrative sanctions in the law are still underestimated by officials who are obliged to report.

"Administrative sanctions regulated in Law No. 28 of 1999 are not effective and are actually underestimated by state officials," he stressed.

Previously reported, KPK Firli Bahuri urged the government and the Indonesian House of Representatives to make strict rules and impose sanctions for officials who are late in submitting the State Organizers Wealth Report (LHKPN).

He said this could be done by revising Law No. 28/1999 on the Implementation of a Clean and Free State from Corruption, Collusion and Nepotism.

"We urge the Indonesian House of Representatives and the government to draw up sanctions rules that can force state officials to comply with reporting wealth," said Firli in a written statement quoted on Friday, November 12.

According to him, strict sanctions need to be given to officials who are often late or do not even report their assets. The administration of administrative sanctions, which are now contained in Law No. 28/1999, is considered not to be fierce and does not provide a deterrent effect.

"It's also time to present the rules of proof reversed for state officials," said Firli.

Moreover, strict rules for officials who do not report their wealth correctly and on time are considered important. Moreover, LHKPN is an effort by the community to monitor officials and the KPK's method of closing the loopholes for abusive practices in the country.

"Failure to report assets to public officials is a corrupt mentality that must be eradicated," said Firli.