KPK Responds to Ex-Corruptor Nur Alam Joining PSI, Issues Warning

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has responded to former Southeast Sulawesi Governor and convicted corruption felon Nur Alam joining the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI). The KPK stated it respects this action. “The KPK respects the rights of every citizen, including the right to participate in politics in accordance with the prevailing laws and regulations,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to journalists on Friday (19/6/2026). “However, regarding parties who have been processed in corruption cases, it is certainly necessary to also examine the legal status of the person concerned, including whether they are still undergoing conditional release or whether there is a court ruling that includes the revocation of political rights as an additional punishment,” he continued. Budi conveyed that eradicating corruption does not solely rely on enforcement, but also on a shared commitment, including from political parties as one of the main pillars of democracy. Therefore, the KPK views it as important for every political party to apply the precautionary principle in the process of recruiting cadres and filling political positions. “By conducting adequate tracing of the track record, integrity, and legal compliance of their prospective cadres. This step is important as a form of tangible support for the corruption eradication agenda and strengthening national political integrity,” he stated. He said political parties have a strategic role in the regeneration process to produce cadres with integrity, a commitment to clean governance, and the ability to maintain public trust in political institutions. Moreover, Budi said, the KPK believes that efforts to build an anti-corruption culture must begin from the political recruitment process. “Therefore, the aspects of integrity and anti-corruption track records should be the primary considerations in every political decision-making process, so that the grand goal of realising a clean and corruption-free government can be achieved sustainably,” he added. Former Southeast Sulawesi Governor Nur Alam is known to have announced his joining of PSI. He claimed to have joined after visiting Solo and meeting the seventh President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, on Wednesday (17/6). The case began in October 2016. Nur Alam was named a suspect in connection with bribery and gratuities related to several mining permits. He then sued the KPK through a pretrial motion regarding his naming as a suspect. As a result, the South Jakarta District Court rejected the lawsuit. On 5 July 2017, the KPK detained Nur Alam. In short, Nur Alam was sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Central Jakarta District Court. At the Jakarta High Court, the sentence was increased to 15 years in prison. Nur Alam’s political rights were also revoked. However, in December 2018, Nur Alam’s sentence was cut by the Supreme Court to 12 years in prison. The Supreme Court reasoned that Nur Alam was only proven to have violated Article 12B of the Corruption Eradication Law concerning gratuities. Meanwhile, Article 3 of the Corruption Eradication Law regarding self-enrichment was not proven. Not remaining silent, Nur Alam then filed a judicial review, but it failed. Nur Alam was released through a conditional release programme on 16 January 2024. He is undergoing a conditional release period under the guidance of the Class I Bandung Correctional Centre until 27 January 2029.