KPK Holds World Anti-Corruption Day Commemoration, Will President Prabowo Attend?

President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta (doc Setneg)

JAKARTA The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) held a commemoration of World Anti-Corruption Day (Hakordia) 2024 on Monday, December 9. However, until now there is no certainty regarding the presence of President Prabowo Subianto, even though the invitation has been submitted.

According to internal KPK sources, preparations for this annual event have been carried out since Friday, December 6. As part of the activity, the KPK has also exhibited a number of items looted in corruption cases, such as luxury cars and Harley Davidson motorcycles, which will be auctioned on Tuesday, December 10.

"There has been no confirmation from the protocol whether the President will attend or not," said the source on Sunday evening, December 8.

KPK spokesman, Tessa Mahardhika, also stated that she had not received official information regarding this matter. "I have not received confirmation whether RI-1 (President Prabowo) is present or not," said Tessa on Friday, December 6. According to him, the presence of President or Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka will only be known on the day of implementation.

The theme of the 2024 Hakordia Commemoration this year carries the theme "Strengthening Commitment to Eradicating Corruption for Advanced Indonesia". This theme, according to the Deputy Chairperson of the KPK, Nurul Ghufron, is in line with President Prabowo's direction which was conveyed after his inauguration at the DPR-MPR Building.

"The president emphasized that the government is committed to eradicating corruption through improving the system, firm law enforcement, and exemplary in creating a clean and collaborative government," Ghufron said at a press conference on Monday, December 2.

Ghufron emphasized the importance of Hakordia as a momentum for national evaluation. This activity, he said, should not only be interpreted as a ceremonial event, but as a reminder to strengthen efforts to eradicate corruption.

This year, Hakordia also commemorates the 21st anniversary of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) which has been ratified by Indonesia through Law Number 7 of 2006.

"Indonesia must make this commemoration a momentum for reflection, evaluation, and increase efforts to eradicate corruption according to the recommendations of the results of the UNCAC review," said Ghufron.

He hopes that Hakordia can continue to promote anti-corruption values and encourage cross-sectoral collaboration to create a clean government.

The presence of the President or Vice President in this event will be a symbol of the government's support for the national commitment to eradicate corruption. However, until day H, the community is still waiting for certainty.