Proposals For KPK Leaders' Salaries To Be Donated For Handling COVID-19

KPK Building (Syamsul Ma'arif / VOI)

JAKARTA - Three months of work, five leaders of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for the 2019-2023 period continue to receive the spotlight.

Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) assesses that the salary received by KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri with four of his representatives, namely Nawawi Pomolango, Alexander Marwata, Lili Pintauli Siregar and Nurul Ghufron, should be donated entirely for handling the corona virus or COVID-19 in Indonesia.

ICW researcher Donal Fariz said a number of public officials had committed to cutting salaries between 30 percent and 50 percent to contribute to helping the handling of the corona virus outbreak. Therefore, the KPK leadership should also give 100 percent of the salary they receive.

Moreover, Donal said, Firli Bahuri and other leaders felt as if they had not done anything for the past three months since being inaugurated in December 2019.

"We suggest that the KPK leadership should give 100 percent of their salary. Because they have been inaugurated for three months, the public is questioning what they have done," said Donal, as quoted by VOI in his written statement, Thursday, March 26.

Donal also mentioned the level of public trust that fell during Firli's leadership of the KPK. The Indo Barometer Survey Institute some time ago released the results of a survey which showed that the KPK was in the top four institutions most trusted by the public with a percentage of 81.8 percent. In fact, when led by Agus Rahardjo, this institution was always in third position.

Donal also mentioned the absence of arrest operations and the inability of this anti-graft agency to find two of their fugitives, namely the PDI Perjuangan candidates for bribing KPU Commissioner Wahyu Setiawan, Harun Masiku and the former Secretary of the Supreme Court who accepted Nurhadi's bribe.

In addition, Firli's bluff regarding the corruption of disaster funds when the COVID-19 outbreak would be punished by death, said Donal, actually caused public scorn.

"So our suggestion is that 100 percent of their salaries should be cut in order not to become a disease," said Donal.

Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission, Nawawi Pomolango, appreciated and saluted the criticism given. However, Nawawi assessed that ICW was looking for a stage in the middle of the spread of the corona virus or COVID-19 in Indonesia.

"I am suspicious that because of this epidemic many have lost their stage, which makes them need help," Nawawi told reporters.

According to him, the government is still capable of handling the budget for handling the corona virus which is so widespread.

Not only that, Nawawi also mentioned the matter of procuring goods and services which can now be easier to do with direct appointment. Thus, donations from state institutions such as the KPK are not yet needed.

"Actually, the government is still very ready and capable. Even the ministry of institutions has also been invited to review its budget for handling this virus outbreak," he concluded.