Anticorruption body unsure of priorities

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The newly established Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) began on Monday its four-year term, but fell short of deciding on cases to prioritize.

KPK's inaugural chairman Taufiequrrachman Ruki said after being sworn in by President Megawati Soekarnoputri at the State Palace that the commission did not see the necessity of short- listing particular cases despite the commission's limited term compared to the widespread corruption in the country.

"All cases (of corruption) are our priority," he was quoted by Antara as saying, adding that he would need between three and six months to consolidate the institution and draft its course of action.

Independent corruption watchdogs have voiced doubt over the commission's capability of eliminating corruption in the country, not only because of the line-up of its leadership but also because it has no clear plans.

The country has a lot of unresolved, high-profile corruption cases, including those involving former president Soeharto and his cronies and the Bank Indonesia liquidity loans that cost taxpayers trillions of rupiah.

International corruption watchdogs have regularly ranked Indonesia among the world's most corrupt countries.

Also inducted into the commission on Monday were Amien Sunaryadi, Syahruddin Rasul, Erry Riyana Harjapamekas and Tumpak Hatorangan Panggabean.

During the ceremony attended by Vice President Hamzah Haz, the President did not make a speech.

Ruki pledged to prevent the commission from intervention from both domestic and foreign parties, saying the commission had the legitimacy to act against corruption in line with Law No. 30/2002 on the anticorruption commission.

KPK will replace the existing Public Officials' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN), which has been criticized for being "toothless".

Different from the KPKPN, which is only authorized to record the wealth of state officials, KPK has the power to investigate alleged graft cases and to prosecute those implicated.

Separately, Committee to Save State Assets (KPHN) chairman Rusly Biki demanded that the KPK probe alleged markups in Ministry of Health projects, which reportedly caused Rp 345 billion (US$40 million) in state losses.

The group accused officials at the health ministry of involvement in the huge budget spent on several projects granted to state pharmaceutical company PT Kimia Farma and medical equipment supplier PT Rajawali Nusantara Indonesia (RNI).

During their protest outside the ministry, KPHN activists urged the police and the KPK to investigate the ministry's secretary-general and head of planning.

RNI director Rama Prihandana denied the allegations, saying his company had offered lower prices to the health ministry for the provision of medical equipment for the western part of Indonesia.

Regarding the appointment of his company, Rama said the ministry did not have enough time to conduct a public tender.

Attorney General's Office spokesman Kemas Yahya Nasution said earlier that the office had formed a team on Dec. 19 to probe alleged graft cases.

Jobs and responsibilities of Corruption Eradication Commission:

Article 7: Duties of the commission

a. Coordinate investigation and prosecution of graft cases;

b. Design audit report of corruption eradication;

c. Seek information on corruption from relevant offices;

d. Organize meetings with relevant offices;

e. Demand reports from relevant offices on corruption eradication;

Article 11:

The commission investigates corruption cases that:

a. involve law enforcers, state officials and people linked to corruption committed by law enforcers or state officials;

b. create public controversy;

c. cause at least Rp 1 billion ($117,000) in state losses.

Source: Law No. 30/2002 on the corruption eradication commission