KPK Deputy Chairman Said Firli Deliberately Rode A Helicopter To Save Time While Visiting His Family's Grave

KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri (Photo: KPK Public Relations Documentation)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Alexander Marwata has denied the issue of gratification by KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri. This issue arose after Firli was reported to the KPK Supervisory Board for using a helicopter that was said to belong to a private company.

According to Alex, Firli was indeed taking a day off and went to Baturaja, South Sumatra for family matters. He confirmed that Firli boarded the helicopter but it was not free.

"Yesterday, Firli was on leave from Baturaja, he reportedly took a helicopter and it really paid off," Alex told reporters in Jakarta, Friday, June 26.

He said the reason Firli used the helicopter was because he wanted to streamline his journey. Given the distance from Palembang to Baturaja, it can take hours by car.

"The consideration is that from Palembang to the village, he can ride a car for seven hours or how many hours, if the PP is more than a day, even though the time is one day. That's why he hired the helicopter. How come he said the helicopter was paid," he said.

"Regardless of what the public thinks, but in terms of time efficiency, that's what he considers. Because he only takes one day off," he added.

Regarding the report on the alleged violation of the code of ethics reported by the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI), Alex stated that this would be followed up by the KPK Supervisory Board. "It has been conveyed and so far it has been clarified," he said.

Previously, the Supervisory Board of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) had received a complaint against the alleged violation of the code of conduct by the Chairman of the KPK, Firli Bahuri. This suspicion emerged after Firli made a grave pilgrimage to his family's grave using a helicopter owned by a private company.

After receiving the complaint, the Chairman of the KPK Supervisory Board, Tumpak Hatorangan, summoned Firli to carry out a clarification process regarding the complaint from the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Community Coordinator (MAKI), Boyamin Saiman.

"The clarification has started today because the one being complained about is the KPK chairman. Of course, the party being complained will also be clarified by Dewas," said Tumpak in his written statement, Thursday, June 25.

In addition, the KPK Supervisory Board has also assigned a team to identify facts related to the report against Firli.

It is known, Boyamin Saiman reported Firli Bahuri to the KPK Dewas via electronic mail. This reporting was carried out because according to Boyamin, the former Deputy for Action violated the KPK code of ethics on integrity point Number 27 which prohibits showing a hedonistic lifestyle.

Regarding this allegation, Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher Kurnia Ramadhana suspected that Firli Bahuri had received gratuities from certain parties. Moreover, the helicopter with the PK-JTO code belongs to a private company.

"If this helicopter is a facility from a certain party, then there is a strong suspicion of a criminal act of corruption in the form of receiving gratuities," said ICW researcher Kurnia Ramadhana, Wednesday, June 24.

On this suspicion, ICW urged the KPK to carry out further investigations. So, it can be seen who provided the helicopter facility, what was the motive, and whether the party providing the facility was in the middle of a case handled by the anti-graft agency.

"If the KPK investigation produces results, then Komjen Firli Bahuri may be subject to Article 12 B of the Corruption Law with a maximum threat of life imprisonment or a maximum of 20 years in prison," said the anti-corruption activist.