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View all search resultsSamad speculation risks KPK integrity
Anticorruption activists have expressed their concerns over speculation that Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman Abraham Samad will be a vice presidential candidacy in the July 9 presidential race, saying the development could disturb the antigraft bodyâs impartiality
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nticorruption activists have expressed their concerns over speculation that Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman Abraham Samad will be a vice presidential candidacy in the July 9 presidential race, saying the development could disturb the antigraft body's impartiality.
Speculation intensified after Abraham made a statement suggesting he did not reject being paired with one of the presidential candidates.
'Abraham must be decisive and quickly decide [on whether he will run for vice president] because this could hamper the KPK's performance,' Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) coordinator Ade Irawan said on Sunday.
He acknowledged that running in an election was every citizen's constitutional right, but added: "Abraham must be aware that given his position as KPK chairman, he could put the KPK at stake.'
The KPK's ongoing investigations also implicate numerous politicians and Abraham's aspirations could place him in a conflict of interest, Ade added.
Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Corruption Study Center (PUKAT) director Zainal Arifin Mochtar urged Abraham to resign from the KPK immediately, even though his vice presidential candidacy had not been made official.
'The KPK is an independent body while political parties are partisan. Indonesia's politics say that individuals wishing to run for president or vice president must be nominated by a political party, so the intention to run makes one partisan,' he said.
'Only having the intention to run for vice president is enough reason for Abraham to resign, as that would mean Abraham would be partisan, not in line with the KPK's spirit of impartiality,' Zainal added.
Abraham has been considered a potential vice presidential candidate given the commission's recent remarkable investigations that managed to catch some big fish.
The Gerindra Party first openly voiced an interest to pair Abraham with the party's chief patron and presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto on a presidential ticket.
However, many considered the move as merely a bid to shore up support for the party ahead of the April 9 legislative election.
Speaking to reporters last Wednesday, Abraham indicated he might join Prabowo's ticket. 'Just give me time to perform istikharah [the prayer to seek guidance],' he said.
