KPK Calmly Responds To Novel's Criticism About Meeting In Jogja: It's Been Scheduled A Long Time

Illustrated (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has responded to criticism from its former investigator, Novel Baswedan, regarding the meeting at the Sheraton Mustika Hotel, Yogyakarta.

Secretary General of the KPK Cahya H Harefa said that the meeting in Yogyakarta had actually been on the agenda for a long time but was hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only that, careful planning including budget calculations have also been carried out.

"This intensive meeting which was held in Yogyakarta had been scheduled in advance, both from the aspect of budget planning and implementation design, but it had to be postponed due to the pandemic conditions and can only be held at this time," Cahya said in a written statement to reporters, Wednesday, October 27.

Moreover, this meeting was deemed necessary as an effort to implement harmonization of regulations and refine the organizational structure, in order to support the duties and functions of the anti-corruption commission in accordance with the KPK Law Number 19 of 2019.

"After the inauguration of the transition from the status of KPK employees to ASN, we then need to harmonize regulations and refine the organizational structure to support the implementation of the duties and functions of the KPK in accordance with the law," said Cahya.

For this reason, the KPK then held an intensive meeting in Yogyakarta involving structural leaders and officials as a step in finalizing the formulation of adjustments to the rules and organizational structure.

With this adjustment, said Cahya, the task of eradicating corruption through prevention, prosecution, and education carried out by the KPK can be carried out effectively and efficiently in accordance with strong regulations.

"The involvement of leaders and structural officials is also important to harmonize the entire work program of the KPK, build cooperation between teams and work units, which in turn can strengthen institutional performance," he said. KPK and other officials in the institution. Moreover, the activity was held at the Sheraton Mustika Hotel, which is a five-star hotel.

"Pimp KPK + its main officials tomorrow & the day after tomorrow, working together at the Seraton Hotel Yogya. Followed by Friday morning a casual bicycle event starting from the Semplak Police Headquarters - Kali Urang Yogya Coffee shop," Novel said as quoted from his Twitter @nazaqistha, Wednesday, October 27.

He then questioned the importance of the meeting being held at the five-star hotel. Moreover, this meeting was held in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Isn't it ethical? In the midst of a pandemic & difficulty holding an event like this," he asked.