KPK: Political Dynasties Tend To Cover Deficiencies And Continue The Habits Of Previous Leaders

Deputy Chairman of KPK Alexander Marwata (Photo: Public Relations KPK RI)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Alexander Marwata said the phenomenon of political dynasties tends to have a negative impact, including perpetuating corrupt practices in an area. The reason is that they did not evaluate the previous government led by family and relatives and even continued the existing habits.

This was conveyed by Alexander after the KPK arrested and named the Musi Banyuasin Regent, Dodi Reza Alex Noerdin, who is the eldest son of former South Sumatra Governor Alex Noerdin, as a suspect for alleged infrastructure bribery.

"We see that when regional heads for several periods were led by relatives, families, or dynasties, the evaluation of the government which five years previously did not work. There is a tendency for his replacement, from family or relatives, to cover up any shortcomings or weaknesses made by the previous government," he said. Alexander quoted from the Indonesian KPK YouTube, Sunday, October 16.

"They tend to continue the habits of the previous leadership. That's what happened," he added.

Alexander said the phenomenon of political dynasties became a concern for all parties, including the KPK. Moreover, the anti-corruption commission has repeatedly investigated allegations of corruption that occurred as a result of this phenomenon, such as in Probolinggo, East Java; Cimahi, West Java; even in East Kalimantan.

"I think the issue of political dynasties has been a concern for us for a long time. I don't think it's just what's happening in Banyuasin at this time. Previously, the KPK has also taken action against several regional heads who are related to political dynasties," he said.

"Previously it was in Probolinggo, before it might have been in Cimahi. There were several activities, and in East Kalimantan there were also arrests of regional heads whose husband or wife became the chairman of the DPRD and so on," added Alex.

Even so, the practice of this political dynasty cannot be erased. The reason is, based on the decision of the Constitutional Court (MK) it cannot be prohibited so that children can replace parents, wives can replace husbands, and various other dynastic practices.

"Finally, political dynasties have emerged in several regions which have become one of the entrances for criminal acts of corruption," he said.

Previously reported, the KPK named Dodi Reza Alex Noerdin as a suspect in the alleged bribery of infrastructure procurement in Musi Banyuasin. In the same vein as him, his father, Alex Noerdin, who was also the Regent of Musi Banyuasin for two periods, 2001-2006 and 2007-2012, was previously named a suspect in alleged corruption.

However, Alex Noerdin was named a suspect by the Attorney General's Office. This determination was made for two different cases, namely related to the case of the purchase of natural gas by the Regional Mining and Energy Company (PDPDE) of South Sumatra in 2010-2019 and the case of the construction of the Sriwijaya Mosque in Palembang.