Fugitives For Corruption Cases Continue To Increase, KPK Receives Spicy Criticism

KPK Red and White House (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The increase in fugitives for suspected corruption cases has made the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in the spotlight. In fact, Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) insinuated the KPK as a corruption-free agency.

ICW noted that at least five suspects in various cases of suspected corruption have been included in the People Wanted List (DPO). This amount is certainly not small and should not be taken lightly. ICW views that the KPK is no longer in action.

"In fact, it is not wrong if the public thinks that the KPK in the Firli Bahuri era is no longer a Corruption Eradication Commission, but has resulted in becoming a Corruptor liberator," said ICW researcher Kurnia Ramadhana as quoted from his written statement, Thursday, May 7.

The five fugitives for the KPK are the suspect in the case of alleged bribery against the General Election Commission (KPU) Commissioner Wahyu Setiawan, Harun Masiku; suspects in the alleged bribery and gratuity case amounting to Rp46 billion, former Secretary of the Supreme Court (MA) Nurhadi and his son-in-law Rezky Herbiyono.

Then, the Director of PT Multicon Indrajaya Terminal, Hiendra Soenjoto and most recently, Samin Tan, are suspects in the alleged bribery case for the termination of the coal mining concession work agreement (PKP2B) PT Asmin Koalindo Tuhup at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).

He said that the KPK could actually determine the five fugitives. If the KPK is really serious. However, the KPK is considered not serious in dealing with this fugitive. Thus, the number continues to grow.

This, he said, has been proven. One of them is the fact that the KPK is not serious about arresting Harun Masiku. In fact, Harun is believed to be still in the country,

"Harun Masiku, who is clearly in Indonesia, is still unable to be arrested by the KPK," he stressed.

Although many fugitives have not been arrested, this is not surprising. Because, since the KPK Leadership for the 2019-2023 period was inaugurated, ICW has lowered its expectations. This is because he is sure that the current leadership will not do much in strengthening anti-corruption institutions.

He said that this prediction was now proven by the KPK, which is currently only the perpetrator of corruption. Not only that, the silent suppression model also seems to have been proven because of the large number of fugitives.

"The KPK is completely silent, with minimal prosecution, and a surplus of fugitives," said Kurnia.

KPK Denies ICW's Accusation

The KPK denied the accusations made by ICW. Deputy Chairman of the KPK, Nawawi Pomolango, emphasized that the leadership was serious in arresting five fugitives. Although until now no one has been caught.

"Regarding the seriousness of arresting the fugitives, we are very, very serious," said Nawawi in his written statement.

The KPK, he said, had carried out an evaluation of the growing number of fugitives. Where the announcement of the four suspects, except for Harun Masiku, gave them a chance to escape before being detained.

Given, the process from announcing the status of a suspect to summons for examination and detention is sometimes too long.

"So this practice has the potential to provide space for the suspects to run away," he said.

So as a precautionary measure, the KPK will now establish a new method, namely announcing suspects after they are caught. "This is a model that is starting to try to minimize the number of suspects who have fled," concluded Nawawi.