Death penalty for corrupters demanded
Death penalty for corrupters demanded
JAKARTA (JP): Anti-corruption activists demanded on Wednesday
that anyone found guilty of corruption be given a maximum penalty
of death.
"In certain circumstances the death penalty should be handed
down to those guilty of corruption," coordinator of Government
Watch Farid R. Faqih said.
He said other corrupters with lighter offenses should be sent
to jail for at least 20 years as their misdeeds had caused losses
to the state.
Separately, an activist with Judicial Watch, Jazuni, called
for a distinction to be made when setting the penalty between
ordinary corrupters and public servants such as corrupt judges,
prosecutors, police and legislators
He said the penalty for corrupt law enforcers should be much
heavier. "If possible, they should be given the death penalty,"
he told a media conference held at his office.
He said such a classification should be included in the
revision of existing Law No.31/1999 on the eradication of corrupt
practices.
Article 2 of the law stipulates that anyone illicitly amassing
a fortune while bringing state losses be sentenced between 4
years and 20 years in jail. They can also be fined between Rp 200
million (US$21,276) and Rp 1 billion.
An official from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights
confirmed that a draft for the revision of the law had been
handed over to the House of Representatives for deliberation.
"I think input from the watchdog will be submitted to the
House factions. Its deliberation will start next week," the
official, identified only as Capah, told The Jakarta Post.
Jazuni expressed deep concern over the existence of some
shortcomings in the current laws. "In the new law, a tougher
penalty should be given to corrupt policemen, prosecutors and
judges as well as legislators," he said.
He added that it would be useless to set up various
commissions if their legal basis was powerless.
Commenting on the many shortcomings of the current corruption
laws, Farid suggested that if a more comprehensive law was to be
enacted, other laws should be revoked. "This is aimed at avoiding
manipulation of the law," he told the Post.
Jazuni said that the principle of equality before the law
should also be kept accordingly. Therefore, there is no need for
the police to seek permission to interrogate civil servants
suspected of corruption.
"The requirement for permission frequently hinders the law
enforcement process," he said.
As corruption cases bring about state losses, he said, it
should be declared an extraordinary crime. "All assets of a
person suspected of corruption should be confiscated until the
person is able to prove that the assets do not come from illegal
practices," he added. (08)