Kadin wants to help AGO fight corruption

The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) met up with staff of the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) to discuss corruption eradication.

Kadin made the move to show its goodwill in helping in the antigraft battle after a high-profile case was seen to have tarnished the institution’s image.

Bambang Soesatyo, Kadin deputy chairman, said in a text message to The Jakarta Post Monday that the chamber was concerned about the ongoing case of former tax officer Gayus Tambunan, because the case gave the impression that all businesspeople were manipulating their taxes.

“We beseech law enforcers and bureaucrats not give any chance to businesspeople to play around with their tax obligations, because basically businesspeople are afraid of the law. If law enforcers and bureaucrats remain steadfast, I am sure businesspeople will not dare mess around,” he said.

Bambang said that in a meeting with Attorney General Basrief Arief, Kadin also voiced enthusiasm to co-sign an upcoming MoU aimed at fighting corruption and preventing unwarranted criminalization.

The MoU, titled “Corruption Eradication Yes, Criminalization No!” is scheduled to be signed by representatives of the Attorney General’s Office, the National Police and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in January.

Bambang said that Kadin would like to cooperate in taking action against law enforcers who criminalize and blackmail businesspeople.
 
“The main point is, we support the attorney general’s effort to reform and revitalize the AGO, which will take stern action against prosecutors who deviate,” he said.

Basrief was installed as attorney general earlier this month. He has promised to improve the AGO's human resources and be firm on prosecutors who are found to break the law as well as violate the code of ethics.