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