The National Police and the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) have signed a memorandum of understanding on law enforcement measures against corrupt activities alleged in BPK investigations.

BPK chairman Anwar Nasution told the press in Jakarta on Friday that the cooperation aimed at encouraging law enforcement to work with the agency when investigating audit reports. This action, he said, would demonstrate to the public and the international community that Indonesia was serious about fighting corruption.

“This cooperation is a milestone in BPK and police relations. As an auditor, the BPK can only suggest whether or not a case is criminal or not. The police must determine the outcome through their investigations,” he said.

Anwar said under the agreement, the BPK could submit additional evidence to police to avoid cases being suspended at the investigation or prosecution level.

“As an auditor, sometimes we are not sure what information or evidence police require for their cases. This is what we are going to learn through the agreement,” he said.

National Police Chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri welcomed the cooperation, saying police efforts to fight corruption were still far from acceptable due to a lack of staff, facilities and overall action.

“This cooperation will mean police follow up on audits made by the BPK. I hope this cooperation will encourage good, clean governance,” he said, adding that police would not hesitate to put those guilty of corruption behind bars.

A 2006 survey conducted by Transparency International Indonesia found that the National Police were the most corrupt institution in the country, ahead of the judiciary, the legislature and political parties.

Bambang said that last year, the police handled 250 corruption cases. From the 92 brought before court, the state lost Rp 170 billion (US$13.6 million) of which only Rp 15 billion was retrieved by the police.

Up until October this year, the police had already handled 167 corruption cases and brought 78 before the courts. Despite their being less cases, state losses increased to Rp 198 billion, although police managed to save nearly Rp 42 billion, a marked improvement on last year.

Anwar said that between 2004 and 2008, the BPK had submitted 17 reports on corruption cases, worth Rp 19.37 billion, to the National Police. Anwar refused to give details on the cases.

He also said cooperation between the two institutions would allow training for both police and BPK personnel. Furthermore, police requested that the BPK be able to call on expert opinions to give evidence in their investigations.

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