T

he Riau Islands governor has appointed a former graft convict, Azirwan, as head of the provincial maritime resources and fishery office, which has drawn the ire of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Azirwan, the former secretary of the Bintan regental administration, was jailed for bribing Amin Nasution, a former legislator of the United Development Party (PPP) and member of House of Representatives’ (DPR) Commission IV on agriculture, plantations and maritime affairs, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Jakarta in March 2008. Amin was the first House member to be arrested by the KPK under the leadership of Antasari Azhar.

The KPK seized Rp 4 million (US$440) from Azirwan and Rp 67 million from Amin’s car. In return, Amin was expected to help gain approval for the conversion of an 8,000 hectare protected forest in Bintan into a business zone.

The total bribe paid by the Bintan administration to the House, through Amin, was Rp 4 billion.

Azirwan was sentenced to two-and-a-half-years on Sept. 1, 2009, but was released mid-2010.

Bintan Regent Anshar Ahmad then appointed Azirwan chief commissioner of the Bintan Enterprises Agency. On March 9, Riau Islands Governor Muhammad Sani appointed him interim Riau Islands Maritime Affairs and Fishery Office head and on Sept. 24, he was sworn in as office head.

KPK deputy head Busyro Muqoddas told The Jakarta Post in Batam on Tuesday that local administrations had the authority to appoint an ex-convict as a public official.

However, the KPK questioned how the local administration could appoint someone with such as track record.

“I don’t know how he was appointed. The KPK imposed a legal sanction on the concerned person. The issue lies within the local administration. How could this be?,” said Busyro on the sidelines of a journalistic anticorruption workshop.

On the same occasion, KPK spokesman Johan Budi, who is familiar with the case, said the KPK could legally ask that a person with a criminal record be dismissed by his or her superior.

“It depends on the Home Ministry. The question is whether or not a corrupt person can hold a strategic position? Has the executive body failed to see that freedom from corruption is deemed a determining factor in choosing an official?” said Johan.

When asked about his office’s commitment to corruption eradication given Azirwan’s appointment, Riau Islands Deputy Governor Soeryo Respationo declined to comment.

“Please ask the Riau Islands Civil Servant Employment Board head about the matter. I don’t need to
respond to the matter,” Soeryo said.

Riau Islands Civil Servant Employment Board head Buralimar told the Post on Wednesday that Azirwan was currently a second echelon official. Technically, his appointment as a public official is the prerogative of the governor and deputy governor.

“My position as an agency head is the same as that of Azirwan. I’m not willing to comment on his appointment. Just ask my superior,” said Buralimar.

When reached by phone, Azirwan declined to comment.