Probe into bribery

Probe into bribery in the House

From Rakyat Merdeka

Some members of the House of Representatives have allegedly received bribes from the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) in the Bank Niaga divestment process. Each House commission reportedly has a number of brokers. The police need to act quickly to probe this alleged bribery.

Unless the police take proactive action, corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) in our country can never be eliminated. The National Police chief should take concrete action to show the police's earnestness in eradicating these crimes.

On Sept. 26, 2002 the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) invited House members and former legislators of Commission IX receiving bribes from IBRA to make a public testimony about this bribery. This testimony was intended to disclose the rampant practices of bribery in the House (Kompas, Sept. 30).

In this context, the National Police chief needs to take proactive action by asking the President for a court order to interrogate House members and IBRA staff allegedly involved in this bribery.

As there is indications that bribery has played a part in the process and also because there is a confession in this respect, the police, based on Law No. 11/1980 on bribery, Article 65 and Article 418 of the criminal code and Law No.20/2000 as well as Law No 31/1999, should follow up on the evidence and the confession. It needs to be stressed that bribery is not an offense that warrants a complaint.

Unfortunately, the police seem to be lagging in proceeding with this case. It seems as if they have to wait for reports from the parties concerned. The testimony made by some House members and some former legislators may be used as the basis for summoning those allegedly involved in this bribery case.

If the bribery case can be investigated, other similar cases in the House may also be uncovered.

TETEN MASDUKI

Coordinator

Executive Board of ICW

Jakarta