When The Chairman Of The Corruption Eradication Commission, Firli, Did Not Attend The Open Debate On The Pretext Of Stopping Polemics

Illustrated (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - An open debate between the Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri and the Director of the Anti-Corruption Campaign and Socialization of the KPK, Giri Suprapdiono, has been canceled.

The reason was that until the event was over, Firli did not show his nose and argued that this was done to stop polemics in public spaces.

The Anti-Corruption Civil Society Coalition held an open debate between Firli and Giri, which was guided by a researcher from Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), Kurnia Ramadhana. This debate was held in the press room of the KPK's Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta and was broadcast live on YouTube Jakartanicus.

This event is planned to discuss the National Insight Test Assessment (TWK) which resulted in the inactivation of 75 KPK employees who were declared unsuccessful.

"The Anti-Corruption Civil Society Coalition will hold an open debate with national insight between two people whose names have been mentioned in the past month, namely between Giri and Firli," said Kurnia when opening the debate, Friday, June 4.

Before the debate started, Kurnia said, an invitation letter had been officially submitted to the KPK for Firli to attend. "However, Pak Firli's presence has not been seen in this room," he said.

However, after waiting, Firli did not appear. So the debate was not held even though Giri Suprapdiono, who is one of dozens of disabled employees, was ready to be his interlocutor.

Why is the debate taking place?

This open debate challenge was originally presented by a netizen some time ago. The goal is to follow up the polemic of the National Insight Test (TWK) which is getting more and more protracted.

"What if Firli vs Giri are pitted against one-on-one debates and show off track records on National Insights in an open forum? @MataNajwa can facilitate that," was quoted from the Twitter account @NephiLaxmus which was retweeted by former KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah, Sunday, 30 May.

Febri responded to this tweet via his Twitter account @febridiansyah. "Pak @girisuprapdiono ready?"

This question was then answered by Giri through his Twitter account. He admitted that he was ready to openly debate with Firli Bahuri about national insight.

Giri admitted that he would be happy if the open debate was held. The former Director of KPK Gratification even challenged, whoever loses must step down and resign.

"With pleasure. The condition is that if you lose, step back and put down your position," he said. "Can't you do that?" added Giri.

This was also conveyed by Giri after attending an open debate which was not held. He said that his presence in this debate was solely to explain TWK, which was a condition for transferring the status of a KPK employee, which seemed closed.

Giri also emphasized that he was not the one who challenged Firli to openly debate but at the request of netizens.

"I didn't challenge it, so netizens actually made this event, do you need to debate Pak Firli with me, then I answered, I'm ready. I asked jokingly there, if you lose, are you ready to withdraw or not, that's it," Giri told reporters.

"If it was me, I was ready to resign. So with that consequence today, if anyone is not ready to resign, I think it might be asked to the person concerned," he added

Giri said that the TWK process, which eventually resulted in the inactivation of 75 employees and even the dismissal of 51 of them, needed to be made clear. Because, the deactivation and removal of him and dozens of KPK employees is considered to show that people who dare to eradicate corruption are not appreciated.

Giri also asked the public not to doubt their attitude. Given, so far 75 KPK employees who did not pass the TWK have practiced their national attitude by means of eradicating corruption.

"So do not doubt us, not insight. We have practiced our nationality practice. We love this country and there is no need to doubt it," he said.

"Please pray that we continue to fight as best we can, with the utmost respect for the removal of these 75 employees," added the former Director of KPK Gratification.

Regarding Firli Bahuri's absence at the open debate, Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, spoke up. According to him, Firli was not present to stop the polemic over the status of KPK employees, especially regarding the National Insight Test (TWK) in the community.

"The chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission cannot fulfill the invitation because he wants to end the polemic in the public sphere related to the transfer of the status of KPK employees to ASN," Ali told reporters.

He also regretted that the public debate was carried out in the KPK press room without prior permission. Bearing in mind, in the invitation letter that the proposed debate was held in the courtyard of the KPK building which is a public area.

"KPK regrets that the debate was held in the KPK press room without prior notification," he said.

Furthermore, Ali hopes that the community can provide support to create a conducive situation after the TWK polemic occurred. Thus, the eradication of corruption can be carried out smoothly by the anti-corruption commission.

"We hope for public support to create a conducive situation for the smooth running of the KPK's anti-corruption tasks," said Ali.