Singapore Calls Singapore 'The Paradise Of Corruptors', KPK Leaders Asked To Return Karyoto To Bhayangkara Corps

Deputy of Enforcement and Execution of KPK Karyoto in a press conference at the Kpk Red And White House, Kuningan Persada. (Photo: PUBLIC RELATIONS DOCUMENTATION KPK RI)

JAKARTA - Karyoto's Deputy Crackdown and Execution Commission (KPK) is in the spotlight for calling Singapore a 'corrupt paradise'. At the end of the day, the head of the antirasuah commission is asked to fire and return his men to the Bhayangkara Corps institution.

"ICW urges that the KPK leadership immediately fire and return Inspector General Karyoto to his home institution, namely the police," said Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) Researcher Kurnia Ramadhana in his written statement received by VOI, Monday, April 12.

This insistence came after Karyoto declared the lion's land to be a corrupt paradise. This was conveyed by Karyoto on Tuesday, April 6.

This statement came out after Firli Bahuri's men were mentioned about the suspect in the case of e-KTP megacorruption Paulus Tanos, who was in Singapore. According to him, Singapore does not want an extradition treaty related to corruption cases and this is what makes the KPK hassled.

"Look, if the name of the search and then he is abroad let alone in Singapore, in a relationship between countries is indeed in Singapore nih if the person who has been able to permanent residence and others is a bit troubled even though he has been assigned (as, red) suspect," he said at the time to the media crew.

"And we know that the only country that doesn't sign extradition related to corruption is Singapore, it's a corrupt paradise, the closest is Singapore," Karyoto added.

ICW Notes to Karyoto

Karyoto not only once made a mistake in both statements and actions. At least, there are five other serious things that should be considered and make him immediately acted on by the kpk leadership.

Five things, first, Karyoto allegedly never evaluated the task force team that is looking for fugitives ex-PDI Struggle caleg Harun Masiku. Although some time a KPK leader expressed his intention to evaluate this team, but he did not seem to follow up.

"Secondly, in the first week of December 2020, the Deputy of Enforcement gave special treatment to witnesses of alleged bribery of drinking water supply system projects at the Ministry of PUPR, Agung Firman, at that time, Karyoto welcomed the presence of Agung Firman directly in the lobby of the KPK building," kurnia said.

"In fact, the arrival of the Chairman of the Audit Board of Finance (BPK) was not in order to attend a particular event, but for the needs of examination as a witness," he said.

Next, Kurnia alluded to the handling of alleged corruption of benur export permits or lobster seeds. Especially, when Karyoto mentions the information of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Antam Novambar is not needed.

In fact, Antam was called by the Acting Kpk Spokesman for Enforcement Ali Fikri to know about the bank guarantee that allegedly the mode of receiving money from the exporter.

In addition, the handling of alleged bribery bansos COVID-19 in Kemensos involving former Social Minister Juliari Peter Batubara is also in the spotlight. Because, the deputy led by Karyoto did not call the witnesses who were considered involved and seemed slow in conducting a search.

"In fact, it is not impossible that this oddity is known or done by the Deputy Of Oppression itself," kurnia said.

Lastly, ICW also highlighted Karyoto's statement that the antirasuah commission has established three suspects in the case of alleged procurement corruption in Munjul, Pondok Ranggon, Jakarta, one of which is former Director of Perumda Sarana Jaya Yoory C. Pinontoan. "In fact, the kpk leadership has not officially announced the development of the handling of the matter," he said.

Thus, in addition to requesting the firing and return of Karyoto, the KPK leadership was also reminded to discipline those who have the right to speak on behalf of the institution. "It has to be strictly regulated," he said.

Singapore: Karyoto's statement is baseless

Karyoto's statement is not only making the spotlight in the country. The Singapore government, which considers this statement baseless, has expressed its stance.

'There's no basis for such allegations. Singapore has provided assistance to Indonesia in several previous and ongoing investigations," it was quoted as saying in a written statement uploaded to the Official Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

The lion country even raised the assistance provided by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) or singapore's anti-corruption commission against the KPK. Including, providing information about the whereabouts of Indonesians to facilitate kpk visits to interview people related to certain corruption cases.

Not only that, Singapore also alluded to the extradition treaty and defense cooperation agreement as a package in April 2007. At that time, the signing of the agreement was witnessed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and PM Lee Hsien Loong although both agreements are still awaiting ratification by the Dpr.

"Singapore has provided and will continue to provide the necessary assistance to Indonesia if Singapore receives requests with the necessary information through the appropriate official channels. Singapore and Indonesia are parties to the treaty on mutual legal assistance (MLA) in criminal matters among asean member states, where cooperation has been conducted in line with Singapore's domestic law and international obligations," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore.

Not only that, Singapore also ensures a strong commitment to legal supremacy and good governance. "We will cooperate in law enforcement with Indonesia in accordance with our domestic laws and international obligations. It does not help to distract or blame foreign jurisdictions," they said.