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Antigraft activist Abraham Samad demands death sentence for corruption convicts
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High hopes: Former Corruption Eradication Corruption (KPK) chairman Abraham Samad (left) talks about the 2019 presidential election during a press conference in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on May 7. (JP/Andi Hajramurni)
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ormer Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman Abraham Samad called for the implementation of the death penalty for corruption convicts during a speech in which he declared his intention to run as a presidential candidate, in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Monday.
“Corruptors must be given a severe punishment [...] and their assets must be confiscated by the state. Implement the death penalty for corruptors, if necessary. This can provide legal certainty,” said Abraham.
He further said corruption had damaged the country and led to poverty, causing the state to lose its authority.
“How can we get out of this slump? The only answer is by combating corruption. Whatever the way is, no matter how scary the risk is, we must fight against corruption,” he said.
The Eastern Indonesian People's Coalition declared its support for Abraham Samad to run as a presidential candidate at Losari Beach in Makassar on Monday afternoon.
The coalition said Indonesia needed a tough and brave leader with integrity and a strong commitment to combating corruption. Abraham was a figure with all of those leadership qualities, it stated.
During his speech, Abraham also said politics must bring the nation to prosperity. Politics that only cared about money must be banished since it would only fool and mislead the people, he said.
In 2015, Abraham and former KPK commissioner Bambang Widjajanto, along with KPK investigator Novel Baswedan, were arrested by the police over suspected law violations. Human rights organizations called the police’s move an effort to criminalize the KPK leaders. (hol/ebf)
