Yusril Explains UNCAC’s Definition of Corruption to President Prabowo
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra explained to President Prabowo Subianto that the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) governs various forms of corruption offences, not just bribery.
Yusril said he discussed the matter with Prabowo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday, as they considered plans to align provisions on corruption offences in national law with the international convention.
“Mr President asked whether corruption under the UN Convention against Corruption means nothing more than bribery. I said no,” Yusril told reporters after a limited meeting with Prabowo at the Presidential Palace complex.
He said UNCAC covers several areas related to combating corruption, including bribery, money laundering, fraud and corruption offences involving the private sector.
According to Yusril, UNCAC does not set a single definition of corruption that applies specifically to all signatory countries. Instead, it guides each country in formulating anti-corruption provisions in its national law.
“So the UN Convention does not specifically define corruption; it leaves it to each signatory country to formulate its own definition in national law,” he said.
He said alignment was needed because some aspects of the convention were not yet fully reflected in Indonesian legislation, while national law also contains provisions of its own.
“So alignment and harmonisation are indeed needed,” he said.
Yusril cited under-invoicing in the mining sector — reporting export values or volumes below the actual figures — and illegal fishing, which he said could drain the country’s wealth.
He said acts that harm the national economy should be considered in discussions about the scope of corruption offences.
He also highlighted the need to clarify the meaning of state finances, particularly in relation to state assets separated to establish state-owned enterprises (SOEs).
However, Yusril stressed that Prabowo continued to regard state losses as an element that must not be overlooked in discussions on the definition of corruption.
“He remains of the view that the element of state losses must not be forgotten,” Yusril said.
Yusril added that Prabowo had requested a study of the definition of corruption offences to ensure it suited Indonesia’s circumstances.
“He asked for a more in-depth study so that we can formulate a definition of corruption appropriate to the situation facing our country,” Yusril said.