Anticorruption body demanded

Anticorruption body demanded

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri came under criticism
on Thursday for stalling the establishment of an anticorruption
commission.

Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) coordinator Teten Masduki
said the President had failed to show commitment to fight
corruption and promote good governance.

"I don't think that the President has a good reason to delay
the signing of a decree establishing a team who will select
members of the anticorruption commission, unless of course she is
motivated by certain political interests," Teten said.

The Anticorruption Law No. 30/2002 which was passed last
November stipulates that the five-member commission will have the
authority to investigate all graft cases involving state
officials and prosecute them in court.

The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights has proposed 13
names, including Teten, noted lawyers Todung Mulya Lubis and
Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara and academician Harkristuti
Harkrisnowo, for the selection team to the President.

"It's almost seven months since the law came into effect, but
the commission has not been established. We badly need it to
fight rampant corruption and money politics ahead of the 2004
general election," Teten said. -- JP