CWI Asks KPK To Investigate The Increase In The Number Of DPD RI Recesses

Founder of Indonesian Corruption Workflow Investigation (ICWI), Tommy Diansyah. (Photo: Special)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Corruption Workflow Investigation (ICWI) asked the Corruption Eradication Commission of the Republic of Indonesia (KPK RI) to follow up on the addition of the number of recesses carried out by the Regional Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI) for the 2024-2029 term of service, which exceeded the number of recesses of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI).

Because for ICWI, this addition has implications for the use of APBN funds sourced from people's taxes. Especially in the midst of deficit state fiscal conditions, all state institutions and officials should have empathy and set an example in making budget policies.

This was confirmed by the founder of ICWI, Tommy Diansyah, at the KPK RI office, Monday, January 13.

"Initially I read the news that was conveyed by a former member of the DPD RI from Aceh, Fachrul Razy, who revealed, at the same time reminded the leadership of the new DPD, which added that the number of recesses exceeded the number of DPR recesses. Where according to Fachrul Razy there are several laws that should be allegedly violated, "explained Tommy.

Tommy added, several laws that should be allegedly violated are the MD3 Law which regulates that the DPD recess must follow the DPR recess.

Also Law Number 1/2004 concerning State Treasury, in Article 3 Paragraph (3), which states that every official is prohibited from taking actions that result in spending on the burden of the State Budget/APBD if the budget to finance the expenditure is not available or is not sufficient available.

Tommy also mentioned Law Number 28/1999 concerning State Implementation that is Clean and Free from KKN, which is emphasized in Article 3 Paragraph (1) that state finances are managed in an orderly manner, obedient to laws and regulations, efficient, economical, effective, transparent and responsible by taking into account a sense of justice and propriety.

"And keep in mind that corruption is a broad rule, including behavior that does not comply with principles. Therefore, in eradicating corruption, in addition to dealing with offenses, it also involves principles in the implementation of state finances," he added.

Therefore, Tommy hopes that what has been conveyed publicly by former DPD member Fachrul Razy can be followed up by the KPK by collecting materials and information for the purpose of investigating the possibility of violating the law against state financial administration, which ultimately harms the community.

"My loss as a taxpayer is of course because the APBN should be allegedly used more due to the increase in the number of recesses in the DPD. Because we know that the recess money given cumum to members of the DPR and DPD is quite large. If I'm not mistaken, everyone will receive approximately 350 million rupiah per recess. Meanwhile, the number of DPD members is now 152 people," he said.

As previously reported, a former member of the Regional Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI) from Aceh, Fachrul Razy admitted that he was surprised by the increase in the number of recesses during the last trial period from the membership period of the DPD RI.

He reminded the leadership of the DPD RI for the 2024-2029 term of service that the addition of the recess period has the potential to become a legal problem.

Fachrul, who was a member of the DPD RI for two terms from 2014 to 2024, admitted that previously there had never been a recess period added during the last trial period from the membership period of the DPD RI. Because according to the laws and regulations, the DPD RI recess period must follow the DPR RI recess.

So that specifically during the last trial period, recesses were only four times, not five times.