Support for KPK

Support for KPK

We would like to apologize to Patrick Guntensperger for the
lack of information on the Partnership for Governance Reform that
became apparent in his letter to The Jakarta Post on March 26.

The Partnership is a multi-stakeholder initiative and has been
inclusive from the very beginning. It cooperates with the
government, NGOs and business associations on both national and
local levels. An overview of Partnership's strategy and
activities since its establishment in late 2000 can be found at
our web page: www.kemitraan.or.id.

One of Partnership's efforts in the field of anticorruption
has been the support of the establishment of a strong
anticorruption commission. It took more than four years before
the independent anticorruption commission (KPK) was eventually
set up in late December of last year, after it had been first
provided for by Law No 31/1999 and consequently Law 30/2002.

As we pointed out in our article, the KPK appears very much
aware of its responsibility to inform the public about its
existence, its tasks and powers. As we further reported, the
commission is currently in the process of undertaking public
consultations and setting up its standard operating procedures.

In this very crucial phase it deserves all the support it can
gather to become what Guntensperger calls "an agency with public
awareness, a high public profile and complete public
accountability".

In this context proposing "yet another government
organization" might cause misperceptions on what is actually
being achieved right now. Well-intentioned proposals and critique
directed at the anticorruption commission are certainly needed
and of value, but all in time.

So let's join hands to get the KPK going, rather than start
plugging for yet another body.

AGAM FATCHRROCHMAN
and SOFIE ARJON SCHUETTE
Partnership for
Governance Reform
in Indonesia
Jakarta