Firli Bahuri Admits Corruption Fugitives Who Change Their Names Causing Investigators Some Difficulties

JAKARTA - The Chairperson of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri said that his party had quite a few difficulties in pursuing the four people who were on the wanted list (DPO).

In addition to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) when giving a press statement that was broadcast via the Presidential Secretariat's Youtube, Firli admitted that one of the obstacles for law enforcement in apprehending DPOs was the name change.

It is known that one of the fugitives who changed his name was Paulaus Tannos to Thian Po Tjhin. The other three fugitives being chased are Ricky Ham Pagawak, Kirana Kotama alias Thay Ming and Harun Masiku.

"Once again I say, the arrest of a person must be based on law and it turns out that an attempt was made to arrest him on behalf of a change. So initially PT (Paulus Tannos) when an attempt was made to arrest him changed to TTP and this will certainly be difficult," said Firli in a press conference with President Joko Widodo, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, National Police Chief Listyo Sigit and the Attorney General's Office quoted via Youtube, Tuesday, February 7.

Even so, Firli admitted that the KPK would never give up on hunting for these four names.

"We will never give up because we already know the process of changing the name from PT to TTP. That's what we want to convey," explained Firli.

The Corruption Eradication Commission, Firli continued, has never backed down in eradicating corruption. There are three strategies carried out. The first is to build public awareness so as not to get caught up in corrupt practices.

"The second is to take preventive measures by revamping the system and finally a professional enforcement strategy in order to recover assets. By 2022 we have returned assets of IDR 575 billion or more than the target of IDR 104 billion from our RPJM target," said Firli.