After Resigning From The KPK, Febri Plans To Build A Legal Advocacy Office For Corruption Victims

Febri Diansyah (DOK.VOI / Wardhany Tsa Tsia)

JAKARTA - Head of KPK's Public Relations Bureau, Febri Diansyah, plans to build a legal advocacy office for corruption victims after leaving the KPK. Febri, who was once the spokesman for the KPK, said he would resign from the KPK which will be effective as of October 18.

Febri said this step was his way of contributing to the eradication of corruption outside the KPK.

"There are plans, there are also discussions with some friends to build this future plan. To build a public law office that is concerned with anti-corruption advocacy, especially advocacy for victims of corruption, then consumer protection, in addition to other legal services performed. With integrity standards," Febri told reporters in Jakarta, Thursday, September 24.

Febri confirmed that he had not yet got a new job anywhere after resigning from the KPK. "Until now, I have not submitted a job application anywhere, the ministry of BUMN, companies, and others," he said.

According to his wishes, Febri will continue to contribute in eradicating corruption even though he is no longer at the KPK.

"I am more concerned with my choice of being able to contribute more beyond the eradication of corruption," he said.

The space for contributing is getting narrower at the KPK

Regarding his resignation, Febri admitted that it was hard to make this decision. However, he considered that at this time many things had changed at the KPK, especially after the passing of the KPK Law Number 19 of 2019 to replace the KPK Law Number 30 of 2002. He had felt this over the past year and finally he decided to stay outside the agency.

"Personally I see that the space for me to contribute in eradicating corruption will be more significant if I am outside the KPK, continue to fight for and participate in advocacy for corruption eradication," he said.

Moreover, Febri admits that working at the KPK is not only about getting a salary but also for eradicating corruption which requires independence.

"So I think it would be better to contribute significantly out there. Of course together my friends will also return to civil society to build an anti-corruption movement," he said.

Febri Diansyah submitted his resignation letter on September 18. He addressed the letter to the KPK Leaders, the KPK Secretary General, and the KPK Head of the Human Resources (HR) Bureau.

Through the letter, Febri revealed his reasons for becoming a KPK employee because he realized that efforts to eradicate corruption could be taken more seriously. "For me, being the KPK is not only a matter of status or position but more than that. This is the main effort to contribute to eradicating corruption," he wrote in the letter.

He also said that the KPK is an example as well as hope for many people so that working well and transparently is a must.

"However, the political and legal conditions have changed for the KPK. After undergoing this new situation for about eleven months I decided on this path. I chose to submit my resignation from the institution that I really love, the KPK," said Febri.

At the end of the letter, Febri asked that his dismissal be processed in the next month or October 18 so that he could still finish his job.

Febri Diansyah joined the anti-corruption organization after becoming an anti-corruption activist at Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW). He became a replacement for the previous KPK Spokesperson, Johan Budi SP in 2016 and resigned in 2019 or shortly after Firli Bahuri became Chairman of the KPK.