Forward Support Banner Appears In The 2024 Presidential Election, Firli Bahuri: Don't Disturb Me With Presidential Candidates!

JAKARTA - The head of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri asked not to be associated with the 2024 Presidential Election (Pilpres). He chose to focus on eradicating corruption.

This was conveyed by Firli in response to the appearance of two banners with a picture of him that reads support for running in the 2024 presidential election.

"I am not affected by the issue of presidential candidates and presidential candidates," said Firli in a written statement to reporters quoted on Saturday, May 28.

"I always say and I have repeatedly said on various occasions, don't bother me with the issue of presidential candidates and presidential candidates," added the former Deputy for Enforcement of the KPK.

He admitted that he had no desire to advance in the political contestation. Firli chose to focus on completing his duties until his term of office expires in 2023.

Not only that, Firli said that he actually has other aspirations, namely to make Indonesia free of corruption. "I am focused on working to eradicate corruption and I will complete my duties as Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission until the end of 2023," he said.

Even so, Firli invites all parties to take part in efforts to eradicate corruption in the country. This is because the anti-corruption commission cannot carry out its duties alone.

"Let's work together with the KPK to eradicate corruption and we all want Indonesia to be clean and free from corruption," he said.

As previously reported, banners with the image of Firli's face were again installed in a number of locations. From the photos circulating there are two different types of banners installed.

The first one reads, "We need a president who is keen to eradicate corruption, Firli Bahuri for Indonesia".

While the second banner, the basic color is red and white. Then, a photo of Firli smiling wearing a cap was seen with the words, "Banten people urge anti-corruption figures to run in the 2024 presidential election. #DukungIndonesiaBersih".

Regarding the installation of this banner, the KPK admitted that it did not know who did it. Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, also emphasized that the billboard installation was not part of the agency's program.

"We make sure that the billboard installation is not a KPK program," Ali told reporters in a written statement, Friday, May 27.

Ali emphasized that the KPK was only conducting campaigns regarding anti-corruption culture. Thus, it is hoped that the issue of banners like this will not drag on in order to prevent the KPK's focus from being disturbed in carrying out its work.

"Political issues, especially the presidential-vice presidential election in 2024, continue to surface. We hope that this issue will not interfere with the focus of corruption eradication work which is the commitment of the KPK," he stressed.