New commission set to replace KPKPN<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government and House of Representatives (DPR) Commission II
\nfor legal and home affairs concluded on Monday deliberations on
\nthe bill on a commission for corruption eradication and agreed to
\nsubmit it to a House plenary meeting for endorsement later this
\nweek.<\/p>\n
Once promulgated into law, the government has to submit the
\nnames of candidates to sit on the commission, which will replace
\nthe existing Public Servants' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN),
\nconsidered to have been ineffective in rooting out and
\neradicating endemic corruption in the country.<\/p>\n
The new commission will have authority to investigate and
\nprosecute those suspected of involvement in corruption, while the
\nexisting KPKPN, which has the authority only to investigate and
\nclarify the wealth of civil servants, would be incorporated into
\nthe new commission under its corruption prevention section.<\/p>\n
Reading out his faction's final position on the bill,
\nPatrialis Akbar of the Reform faction said that the commission
\nwould replace KPKPN, which had no power to carry out action to
\nfollow up corruption findings, while Akil Mohtar of the Golkar
\nfaction stressed that KPKPN was able only to publish the wealth
\nof state officials in the mass media.<\/p>\n
Article 8 of the bill says that the new commission will have
\nauthority to take over the investigation and prosecution being
\nhandled by the Indonesian police and the Attorney General's
\nOffice if it is deemed the two law enforcement agencies have
\nfailed to discharge their duties.<\/p>\n
Under the same article, the police and the Attorney General's
\nOffice have to hand over the suspect, evidence and related
\ndocumentation on a case within 14 days after the commission has
\nsubmitted its request.<\/p>\n
Based on Article 69 (2), KPKPN will continue its functions,
\nduties and authority until the commission for corruption
\neradication starts to operate.<\/p>\n
All factions supported this clause, but spokesman of the
\nUnited Development Party (PPP) Zein Badjeber objected, saying
\nthat the membership of KPKPN should be clarified within that
\nclause.<\/p>\n
\"Please note that my faction objects to this clause,\" said
\nBadjeber.<\/p>\n
Minister for Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra,
\nwho represented the government in Monday's deliberations, said
\nthat members of KPKPN would not automatically serve as members of
\nthe new commission.<\/p>\n
\"Members of the new commission must meet the requirements. I
\ndon't think all KPKPN members meet those criteria, \" he added.<\/p>\n
KPKPN has recently demonstrated its authority to compel state
\nofficials to declare their wealth. Only recently the commission
\nsummoned Attorney General M.A. Rachman, who had not declared his
\nluxury home in Depok, West Java, and deposits totaling Rp 800
\nmillion.<\/p>\n
The investigation has greatly undermined Rachman's
\ncredibility, prompting non-governmental organization activists to
\ncall for his dismissal.<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri has rejected the call
\noutright, saying that replacing the Attorney General would not
\nhelp the country's anticorruption campaign.<\/p>\n
The new commission for corruption eradication will consist of
\nfive members, four expert advisers and supporting civil servants.<\/p>\n
The commission will work in four areas: prevention of
\ncorruption, follow-up legal action, information and data,
\ninternal monitoring and public reports.<\/p>\n
Based on Article 34, the commissioners will not be allowed to
\nhave contact with a suspect or other parties connected with a
\ngraft case being handled by the commission.<\/p>\n
The commissioners will not be allowed to handle cases in which
\nthey have a blood relationship with investigated parties
\nstretching back up to three generations.<\/p>\n
The commission members will not be allowed to take a position
\nin a company, foundation or cooperative.<\/p>\n
Violation of Article 34 carries a penalty of five years
\nimprisonment.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-commission-set-to-replace-kpkpn-1447893297",
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