OTT And Corruption Eradication

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). (Between)

In addition to prevention, one of the steps taken by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in carrying out its duties is to take action in the form of hand arrest operations (OTT). This action has been running frequently and has often also become a headline in various media. Especially if the figures affected by OTT are famous people or high-ranking officials. Steps that are praised by many parties. Because usually it is very rare for people caught in the act of being caught can be separated from the law.

Surprisingly, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan (LBP) actually questioned this step. According to LBP, the OTT is not good because it makes it bad. For digitization, no one can fight. This was conveyed by LBP during his presentation at the launch of Corruption Prevention Action 2023-2024 last week.

Suddenly the LBP statement caused controversy. Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher Kurnia Ramadhana admitted that it was difficult to understand LBP's logic of thinking. He admitted that he was confused by the LBP statement which said that the KPK OTT made Indonesia's image bad in the eyes of the world. In ICW's view, when law enforcement is enforced, especially the eradication of corruption is maximally carried out, Indonesia's image will automatically improve and be followed by appreciation from the world.

Because of this, Kurnia as stated in VOI suggested that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) reprimand Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan after talking about hand arrests (OTT) create a bad image of the country in the eyes of the international community. LBP is considered to be interfering in the affairs of law enforcement officials.

The same thing was conveyed by the Center for Anti-Corruption Studies at Gadjah Mada University (Pukat UGM). As stated by UGM Zakeur Rohman, the statement of Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan if the hand arrest operation (OTT) gave an incorrect image. The silent operation carried out by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) actually has a deterrent effect.

In fact, according to Zaenur, the silent operation carried out by the anti-corruption commission also cannot be considered an option. A necessity for the KPK to do so when a crime occurs.

Even Vice President (Vice President) Maruf Amin said the same thing. According to the Vice President, the OTT carried out by the KPK is still needed to coincide with the application of anti-corruption prevention and education. The Vice President said that if prevention and education have succeeded, perhaps there could be no or minimal action. But if education and prevention have not been successful as a result, there will be action. So how to prevent action, it must be more massive in education and prevention. The Vice President revealed, in various countries, the three methods were also used to eradicate corruption.

It is undeniable that corruption is a serious problem in Indonesia. Over the past 18 years, from 2004 to October 2022, according to the data, it was recorded that the KPK had handled 1,310 corruption cases. Bribery is the most handled criminal act of corruption by the KPK with 867 cases.

The KPK report noted that the majority of corruption crimes were committed in district/city government agencies, namely 537 cases. Followed by ministry/institutional and provincial government agencies with 406 cases and 160 cases, respectively.

So, OTT still has to be done as a form of action. Or even if possible, if proven, just apply the perpetrators of corruption to the death penalty. After all, the death penalty for corruptors in Indonesia has actually been regulated in Article 2 paragraph (2) of Law Number 31 of 1999 as amended in Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption. (*)