Anticorruption body unsure of priorities

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