KPK Targets Transnational Corruption through Cross-Border Cooperation
Tangerang (ANTARA) – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has reiterated its commitment to restricting the movements of transnational corruption offenders through cooperation among institutions in different countries.
Kartika Handaruningrum, director of the KPK’s Network Development for Inter-Commission and Institutional Cooperation unit (PJKAKI), said in Tangerang on Thursday that efforts to combat cross-border corruption were intended to prevent Indonesia from becoming a refuge for such offenders.
“Our main point is that we do not want Indonesian jurisdiction to become a safe haven for people suspected of corruption,” she said.
She said the KPK had demonstrated its commitment through cooperation with the Directorate General of Immigration and Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
Through the collaboration, authorities apprehended and deported a Thai national identified by the initials PV, who was wanted in a corruption and procurement-bribery case involving US$300,000.
“This is a form of collaboration and cooperation between the Indonesian KPK and anti-corruption agencies in Southeast Asia,” she said.
Kartika said the fugitive was the chief executive officer of a private procurement company.
According to information from Thailand’s NACC, the individual was allegedly involved in bribery and gratification offences linked to a procurement project worth US$24.5 million, and had received gratification worth US$300,000.
After receiving the information, the KPK tracked the fugitive, who had been placed on Indonesia’s wanted list, and quickly coordinated with other agencies.
“On the basis of that information, the Indonesian KPK coordinated with the relevant parties to determine whether the individual was in Indonesia. We then received confirmation that the Thai national was indeed here,” she said.
Kartika said the law-enforcement process was strengthened after Thailand’s NACC informed the KPK that the suspect’s passport had been revoked by the Thai government and that the suspect was subject to an Interpol Red Notice.
The NACC subsequently asked the KPK to work with Indonesia’s immigration authorities on enforcement, as the fugitive’s residence permit was close to expiring. Following intensive coordination, Immigration was able to take appropriate legal action under immigration law.
“After the individual renewed his residence permit in Indonesia and was entered into the SOI (System on Immigration), we were able to take measures under immigration law and deport him,” she said.
Meanwhile, Yuthakorn Chomaitong, director of Thailand’s Bureau of International Affairs, expressed appreciation and full support for Indonesian law-enforcement authorities, particularly the KPK and the Directorate General of Immigration, for apprehending and repatriating the cross-border corruption fugitive.
He said bilateral cooperation between the countries was crucial to ensuring the Thai fugitive could promptly face the applicable legal process.
“This cooperation is very important to bring the fugitive from Thailand to face legal proceedings,” he said.
He stressed that the agencies would maintain their commitment to ensure transnational offenders could not evade justice and would be held accountable.
“We remain committed to working with all parties and ensuring that he faces justice,” he said.