Call OTT Many Functions, Novel Baswedan: KPK Needs Socialization So That Officials Are Not Resistant

Former KPK investigator Novel Baswedan commented with students during the KPK's support action at the KPK building on Thursday, September 12, 2019. (Indrianto E S)

JAKARTA - Former investigator of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Novel Baswedan asked the KPK to socialize the purpose of hand arrest operations (OTT) against officials. The reason is that the purpose of the KPK's silent activities is a lot, not only preventing state losses.

"KPK RI needs socialization so that officials are not resistant to OTT," Novel said, quoted from his Twitter account, @nazaqistsha on Thursday, December 22.

Novel said OTT could prevent state losses because many officials who wanted to accept bribes were arrested first. Thus, their fraudulent practice was first exposed.

"OTT can reveal corruption cases severely, the perpetrators cannot evade it. Bribe must have an interest behind it, if in OTT then state losses will not occur," he said.

Furthermore, Novel suspects that OTT often scare officials because it can be targeted and it is difficult to escape if they are entangled. But, he said, when someone is clean, of course, fear is groundless.

"OTT can target any official, if they have been caught it is difficult to help or save. Because OTT's arrest was exactly (abcurrence, ed) when he did, the evidence was complete," said Novel.

"Perhaps this has made many prospective corruptors afraid. There should be no need to be afraid (officials, ed). It is enough not to do corruption will not be subject to OTT," he continued.

The KPK OTT has recently been in the spotlight because of the statement by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan in front of KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri on Tuesday, December 20. Initially, Luhut asked the KPK not to take action often and take maximum precautions.

"We just want to clean up really in heaven. So the KPK shouldn't catch a little bit. That's not good either, yes, look around," Luhut said in his speech at the Launch of Corruption Prevention Action 2023-2024 in the Central Jakarta area, Tuesday, December 20.

Furthermore, he mentioned the OTT carried out by the anti-corruption commission. According to him, this silent operation often provides a bad image for the country so that the digitization process should be accelerated to prevent corrupt practices in the procurement of goods and services to project auctions.

"OTT, OTT is actually a good end for this country, it's really bad, that's it. But if digitalizes who wants to fight us," he said.