Ex-Corruptor Candidates Challenged By Declaration 'I Am A Former Corruption Prisoner' In Campaign Billboards

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Institute (TII) Research and Program Manager Arfianto Purbolaksono asked candidates for legislative members who are former corruptors to make statements that they have committed corruption on all campaign props.

"The statement on the campaign prop contained that the person concerned was a former convict of a criminal act of corruption and stated that he promised not to repeat his actions," said Arfianto as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, August 30.

According to Arfianto, this statement is important because corruption is a criminal act that harms state finances, and violates people's social and economic rights.

"Caleg who have committed corruption must be responsible to the public and promise the public so that they no longer commit these crimes," he said.

In addition, he continued, the announcement to voters that the candidate concerned had been convicted of corruption was an important part of the efforts to educate voters to choose candidates with integrity.

Arfianto explained that the public has the right to know and assess whether candidates who have committed corruption can be given the opportunity to become representatives of the people or not.

The corrupt practices that are now happening in Indonesia, according to him, have made public institutions slump; thus hampering the achievement of national development goals.

"Therefore, candidates who have been perpetrators of corruption crimes cannot be equated in their campaign with other general criminals or legislative candidates who have never been caught in a criminal case," said Arfianto.

Apart from the electoral context, he said, the provision of a deterrent effect on perpetrators of corruption must also be a concern, among others by giving severe verdicts in the judicial process.