Bureaucracy auditor merged with antigraft commission

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta

The Civil Servants Wealth Report Audit Commission (KPKPN) has officially merged into the newly established Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) following the issuance of a presidential decree on Friday.

The KPK received Presidential Decree No. 45/2004 on the merger of KPK and KPKPN.

KPK deputy chairman Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas announced to the public that the now-defunct KPKPN, which had been given the task of auditing the wealth of civil servants, would be placed under the KPK's prevention division.

Not all members and employees of KPKPN, however, would automatically be hired by the KPK, according to Erry.

"They must undergo a regular interview process first," he said, adding that KPKPN has around 200 employees.

The move, Erry said, was mandatory to ensure the quality of KPK, which is tasked with tackling the widespread corruption in the country.

The University of Indonesia' School of Psychology will help out with the screening of KPKPN staff, Erry said.

KPKPN members had earlier filed a judicial review with the Constitutional Court against dissolving the commission following the enactment of Law No. 10/2003 on the establishment of the KPK.

However, the judges rejected the motion, saying that the enforcement of the law was legitimate and in accordance with the Constitution.

The KPK is currently recruiting people to fill several empty posts, particularly for its investigation unit. Erry said that the recruitment is open to all people, and employees of both private and state-owned institutions would be encouraged to apply.

"We hope their supervisors will not prevent them from applying. We urgently need clean and dedicated officials to make the KPK strong and reliable," he said.

The government is considering a very handsome pay plan for KPK employees, likely far better than an average civil servant, ostensibly so they will not be tempted to embezzle for lack of money.