Today's Memory, December 9, 2019: President Jokowi Affirms That The Death Penalty For Corruptors Can Be Implemented As Long As People Are Fined

President Jokowi's visit with the Ministry of Education and Culture, Nadiem Makarim and the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Anies Baswedan to SMKN 57 Jakarta, on December 9, 2019. (Secretariat Negara)

JAKARTA - Today's memory, five years ago, December 9, 2019, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) revealed that the death penalty for corruptors could be carried out if the people wanted. The strong push of the people will pave the way for representatives of the people to convey their wishes through the revision of the Corruption Act (UU).

Previously, Jokowi was a figure who often echoed the spirit of anti-corruption. He revealed that there was no compromise in eradicating corruption. Even so, this commitment is often questioned by many parties.

Corruption is something that is difficult to eliminate from Indonesia. Corruptors like one thousand grows. This condition has been going on for a long time. The government, which is less assertive, becomes the estuary. A less assertive attitude then makes corruption not only carried out by individuals, but groups.

The eradication of corruption was echoed. Many Indonesian leaders have promised to push the eradication of corruption to its roots. The problem is that no one has ever really been able to eliminate corruption. This commitment is not uncommon just a few political promises. The people even think that the corrupt mentality will not be lost.

Jokowi also mentioned the same narrative. From the start, he was appointed as President of Indonesia to enforce corruption, one of his important agendas. The agenda was set by Jokowi as a priority agenda in Nawacita.

Jokowi's anti-corruption promises come in number four. The point is that the point says the state must not be weak. The state must reform the system and strengthen law enforcement. The goal is to provide a deterrent effect to corruptors.

Others so that the next generation of the nation does not fall into corrupt practices. Jokowi also made this commitment by giving direct directions to school children at SMKN 57 Jakarta, on December 9, 2019. Jokowi revealed the message to school children that there is no justification for corruption.

"Earlier, the children arrested everything, yes, the messages that were conveyed by him, huh? That what is called corruption cannot, no matter how small, it remains corruption, not big, not small, it can't be!"

"Want to enter higher education, to prevent the father of an official, not to use the rules and play immediately, that is also not allowed. Back again, the name KKN (corruption, collusion, nepotism) is not allowed. Children must know about this from an early age, because corruption is what destroys our lives, the lives of our country, the lives of our people," Jokowi said as revealed on the State Secretariat website, December 9, 2019.

The question and answer session was opened. One of the children asked directly to Jokowi regarding the enforcement of corruption in Indonesia. Students named Harley Hermansyah feel that the Indonesian government is not firm with corruptors. The government does not dare to punish corruptors to death.

Jokowi appreciated the questions from students. Jokowi revealed that the death penalty could be applied to corruptors. The death penalty is not taboo, or cannot be applied. The punishment can be done as long as the people want it.

Later, the people's advice will be brought by the people's representatives and discussed. The discussion will later bring a revision of the Anti-Corruption Law regarding the application of the death penalty as a criminal sanction. Jokowi revealed that currently the Corruption Act does not contain the death penalty for corruptors. He asked the people to continue to voice that the death penalty could be applied to thieves of people's money.

"That is the first will of the community, if people want something like that in the draft corruption crime law, it (can) be included. Yes, it is possible (the government will initiate) if it becomes the will of the community," said Jokowi as quoted by the COMPASS.com page, December 9, 2019.