KPK told to use full power to fight graft

KPK told to use full power to fight graft

Tiarma Siboro and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) must exercise its
extensive powers in the investigation of Aceh Governor Abdullah
Puteh to demonstrate clearly to the public that the matter has
nothing to do with politics, observers say.

"The KPK appears to lack confidence in using its extensive
powers in connection with the Puteh case. It must detain him and
freeze his assets without hesitation," said lawyer Iskandar
Sonhadji on Tuesday.

Speaking at a discussion held by the National Law Reform
Consortium (KRHN), the member of the now-defunct Joint
Anticorruption Team (TGPTPK) said that people would respect the
commission if it took firm action against suspected corruptors.

"The commission is a new institution -- it needs public
support. Therefore, it must be able to show the public that its
moves are aimed mainly at implementing the law and are free from
political nuance," Iskandar said.

Lawyer Bambang Widjojanto shared Iskandar's view, saying that
people might allege that KPK was being misused as a political
tool instead of a means to eradicate corruption.

"Do not be afraid. The law confers on the commission extensive
powers due to the extent of unchecked corruption in the country,"
he said.

Lawyer Eggy Sudjana, who is representing Puteh, accused the
KPK of "overacting", as it was insisting on investigating him
even though the corruption tribunal had yet to be established.

"It has not coordinated with other legal institutions. It has
no authority to investigate corruption cases in the absence of
the tribunal. It is overacting," he said.

Eggy stated that some prosecutors had complained about the
presence of the KPK, which had assumed some of their powers in
prosecuting corruptors.

State prosecutors and police have long been accused of
involvement in the "judiciary mafia", particularly in high-
profile corruption cases.

Constitutional law expert Harun Al Rasyid said the KPK had the
authority to investigate the case because it was mandated by law.

He questioned moves by Puteh's lawyers, who have filed a
lawsuit against the KPK, questioning the latter's jurisdiction to
investigate the case.

"If they say the KPK has no authority to investigate
corruption cases prior to the establishment of the tribunal, why
did they file suit with the district court? Why didn't they wait
for the tribunal to be established?" Harun asked.

Eggy said that lawyers would do whatever they could to help
their client.

Puteh has been declared a suspect in the marked up purchase of
a Russian-made Mi-2 helicopter by the Aceh administration for Rp
12.6 billion in 2002. The alleged markup cost the state at least
Rp 4 billion.

Separately, KPK chairman Taufiqurrahman Ruki said the
commission would take the case to the tribunal trying corruption
cases as soon as it had completed its investigation.

He said that the Supreme Court had sworn in judges to handle
cases in the tribunal, which was due to be established at the
Central Jakarta District Court.

"I believe that the Supreme Court will immediately establish
the tribunal before we finish our investigations into the
governor, so we (the KPK) need not be worried about whether the
case will end in mid air," Taufiqurrahman said.

On Tuesday, Puteh was questioned by KPK investigators for
about 8 hours. As before, he managed to escape from journalists,
who had been waiting to record his comments.

Meanwhile, dozens of representatives from 30 non-governmental
organizations staged a rally in front of the KPK's offices,
asking Puteh to resign from his post due to his involvement in
corruption allegations concerning the Ladia Galaska road project.