Firli Bahuri Admits He Doesn't Know About The Installation Of His Own Billboards In South Lampung

Photo via Twitter Febri Diansyah

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri denied knowing about the installation of billboards with his face in the South Lampung Regency, precisely on Jalan Natar.

This was conveyed by Firli in response to the spotlight of former KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah who also uploaded two photos of Firli Bahuri's billboards in South Lampung.

"I don't know about this, whether it's a company advertisement or an expression of supporting the eradication of corruption in the country," Firli said in a written statement to reporters, Wednesday, April 20.

Although he did not know, the former Deputy for Enforcement of the KPK admitted that he did not object to the installation of the billboards. Moreover, Firli said, if the message conveyed aims to provide support in efforts to eradicate corruption.

"Personally, if it contains an anti-corruption warning message, it is good and if it is intended to support the KPK for eradicating corruption. The KPK would like to thank you," he said.

Similarly, Acting Spokesperson for the KPK for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, also said his agency had never put up billboards with Firli's face. He also ensures that the installation does not use the agency's budget.

"We ensure that the installation of billboards with anti-corruption messages is not part of the KPK program and also does not use the KPK budget," he said.

However, Ali said that this kind of anti-corruption message needs to be encouraged by all parties. Moreover, the public can play many roles in eradicating corruption other than by submitting complaints about allegations of corruption.

"The important anti-corruption message continues to be inflamed, so that each other reminds each other to stay away from corrupt behaviors," said Ali.

"The participation of the public in eradicating corruption is not only through submitting complaints about alleged corruption in the law enforcement process. But also to be involved in supervising the implementation of government and development, as well as delivering anti-corruption messages to the public," he added.

As previously reported, Febri highlighted the installation of billboards with the face of Firli Bahuri in South Lampung. He questioned whether the billboards were related to the anti-corruption commission's socialization program.

"Dear Mr. @firlibahuri. Is there a photo of you on a big billboard in South Lampung. Did you know yet, sir? Or does @KPK_RI have a socialization program for me with billboards?" he wrote quoted on Wednesday, April 20.

This anti-corruption activist said he got the photo of the billboard from a friend who was on duty in South Lampung. At the end of his tweet, Febri quipped a photo of a billboard with Firli's picture which he also uploaded.

There are two photos of billboards uploaded by Febri. First, a red billboard with a picture of Firli shaking hands with President Jokowi complete with the words, 'We serve the country to free the Republic of Indonesia from corruption'.

While on the second billboard, there is only a photo of Firli Bahuri alone with a blue background. On the billboard was written, 'The state has given me everything. Now is the time for me to pay back to the nation and state'.

The two photos are accompanied by the KPK slogan, 'Dare to be honest, great!'.

"Btw, the photos are good, sir," said Febri equipped with a smiling emoticon.