TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

KPK leaders culpable in leak scandal: Board

An ethics panel probing the leak of a classified document belonging to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said on Friday that at least one of the commission’s leaders could be guilty of an ethics breach

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta
Sat, March 23, 2013

Share This Article

Change Size

KPK leaders culpable in leak scandal: Board

A

n ethics panel probing the leak of a classified document belonging to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said on Friday that at least one of the commission’s leaders could be guilty of an ethics breach.

Anies Baswedan, who heads up the panel, told reporters that it had almost concluded its investigation and would officially disclose the results within the next seven days. “So far, we have not found any political motive [behind the leak],” he said.

The document in question was a draft letter ordering the investigation of Anas Urbaningrum, the former chairman of President Susilo Bambang Yudhyono’s Democratic Party. Anas, who has been charged with accepting gratuities in the Hambalang graft case, claimed that the leak was part of a scheme devised by his opponents to topple him as party chairman.

Anies confirmed that he had found indications of the involvement of KPK commissioners in the leak, though he refused to name names. “We are dealing with two different things here: the leak of the document and the leaking of information. We are now trying to look further to determine who did what, when, where and to whom.”

The panel has questioned several people connected to the case, including three KPK commissioners: Zulkarnain, Busyro Muqoddas and Adnan Pandu Praja. The panel reportedly has yet to question KPK czar Abraham Samad, who stands accused of leaking the document.

Bambang Widjojanto, the only KPK commissioner considered as having no conflict of interest, sits on the ethics panel along with Anies, legal expert Abdul Muhfti Fajar and former KPK commissioners Tumpak Hatorangan Panggabean and Abdullah Hehamahua.

The panel, Anies said, would summon more people to confirm a new finding in the investigation. “This is not necessarily a new fact, but we have concluded that there is something else we need to determine apart from the leak.”

The leak scandal has put the KPK under public scrutiny, as it has been linked to the political struggle within the Democratic Party. The leaked document, known as sprindik, was leaked only days before Yudhoyono took over the party’s leadership from Anas, telling him to focus on his legal quagmire. At the time, Anas was yet to be named a graft suspect by the KPK.

Previously, the President had asked the antigraft body to determine Anas’ status in the Hambalang graft case, as various news reports highlighting his involvement in the case had tarnished the party’s image. Critics slammed the President’s move, accusing him of trying to interfere with the KPK’s investigations.

Other than KPK officials, the ethics panel has also questioned journalists and Democratic Party politician Syariefudin Hasan, who is also the cooperatives and small and medium enterprises minister.

KPK spokesman Johan Budi has denied allegations that the commission’s decision to charge Anas was politically motivated. Anas stepped down as party chairman a day after being charged, as stipulated by the party’s integrity pact.

While ruling out a political motive behind the leak, Anies said there were indications of a criminal offense. This could serve as a blow to the KPK as its officials, including its leaders, could be subjected to criminal investigations by the National Police or the Attorney General’s Office (AGO).

The National Police general crimes unit chief, Gen. Sutarman, said that the police were ready to probe the case should the ethics panel report any indications of criminality to him.

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.