Don't Equate KPK With Other Agencies, Accepting Gratification Can Be Sanctioned

KPK Building/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) reminded all parties not to give gifts to their employees carelessly. There are strict rules regarding receiving and giving that must be obeyed.

"KPK applies high ethical standards," said Acting Spokesperson for the KPK for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, to reporters in a written statement, Thursday, July 14.

Ali emphasized that the strict rules would be monitored by the KPK Supervisory Board. Thus, giving or receiving gratuities will be immediately sanctioned.

"It could be something that might be considered normal in other agencies, but if it is at the KPK, ethical sanctions can be imposed," he said.

The KPK Supervisory Board also some time ago gave the same warning. This was conveyed after Lili was suspected of violating ethics by accepting accommodation and tickets for the Mandalika MotoGP from PT Pertamina (Persero).

However, Lili was not tried further because she had resigned from her position on June 30. Regarding the resignation, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) issued a Presidential Decree (Keppres) regarding the dismissal of the KPK leadership on Monday, July 11.

"Our hope from the Supervisory Board is not to give anything to the leadership or to the Council or to the KPK. This is a problem," said Tumpak Hatorangan Panggabean, chairman of the KPK council, at a press conference at the KPK ACLC building, Rasuna Said, South Jakarta, Monday, July 11.

Tumpak reminded all KPK personnel to have high ethical standards. If SOEs usually give gratuities to other institutions, this should not be done to the anti-corruption commission.

"We need to convey it to BUMN, maybe if it is given to friends in other departments and so on, there might be no problem," he said.

"But at the KPK it is prohibited because there are ethics that prohibit it. So this is our hope from the Supervisory Board. I think all employees know, all leaders know about this problem," he said.