“The law provides a mechanism for public involvement in the corruption eradication campaigns launched by the police and the KPK,” Central Information Commission representative Ahmad Alamsyah Saragih told The Jakarta Post.

The KPK and public institutions must cooperate to implement the law, provide information to the public and educate government officials, he added.

KPK spokesman Johan Budi said that he hoped the media and the public would use the law to monitor government institutions and prevent corruption.

The law makes it easier for more people to report corruption to the KPK, he said.

“Public institutions cannot withhold information related to the public interest,” said Agus Sudibyo of the Press Council.

The law facilitates good governance, he added.

The 2008 law, which came into effect April 30, stipulates that all public institutions — including government offices at all levels, political parties and non-governmental institutions — must provide information to the public.

However there are differences between public information and information needed for investigations, Johan said.

“The law provides for the disclosure of public information, which, of course, is different than the information that is required for investigations,” Johan said

Investigations require more comprehensive information, he added.

“Institutions often hide information related to corruption,” Agus said.

The law was designed to prevent corruption by providing for good governance and for legal sanctions of public institutions who hide information from the public due to corruption, he added.

“Popular oversight will make public institutions rethink potential corrupt activities,” Agus said.

However there are challenges in implementing the law, Sudibyo said.

The law requires that public institutions be proactive in releasing public information, however institutions have been passive and are waiting for public requests before releasing information, he said.

A lack of capacity to process information and documentation hindered public information disclosure, Sudibyo added.

“Overlapping regulations also obstruct implementation,” he said.

The law, which covers regional governmental institutions, is a new tool in Indonesia’s fight against corruption, said Agus Sunaryanto, Indonesian Corruption Watch’s investigation coordinator.

“The law helps the KPK to tackle corruption through public participation. It ensures access to public information related to public institutions,” he added. (ipa)

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