On Dec. 9 the world marks the annual International Anticorruption Day. In Indonesia, the historical upheaval that reset the nation’s governance in 1998 was brought about a strong desire toward upholding ethical conduct in the management of the country and businesses.

While throughout the Reform movement democratization and decentralization were the highlight of the political scene, similar watershed changes occurred in the anticorruption and integrity landscape. Impotent law enforcement, as a result of the compromised integrity of law enforcement agencies — the police and the prosecutors — was expected to end through the creation of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Extraordinary power was entrusted to the KPK to remove the boulder blocking the way to achieving high integrity in governance.

The boulder to be shifted was as heavy as could be. Further, imposed democratization and decentralization posed a new challenge. “Power corrupts absolutely” suddenly became “distributed power corrupts widely”, and the task given to the KPK multiplied in both its variety of targets and severity of graft.

Faster decision-making to boost investment and economic growth at the national and local levels, particularly because of decentralization, heightened the risks of corruption. This was compounded by poorly prepared measures to inject integrity into local democratization through local elections that instead became known for “money politics” and vote buying. Regional autonomy simply opened up the Pandora’s Box of corruption, as evident in the KPK investigation into about 120 regional heads for alleged graft so far.

Along with those challenges the KPK’s performance was exemplary, with an increasing number of cases. As The Jakarta Post reported in December 2018 that cases handled by the KPK increased from 44 in 2011 to 99 (2016), 121 (2017) and 178 (2018). Actually thousands more cases were reported, reflecting the limited capacity and or willingness of the government to expand the strength of KPK vis-à-vis the enormity of the challenge at hand. It is just like having one “lightsaber” to fight endless corrupt clones.

Now we see continued political developments trying to bring the KPK to heel, and to at least partially shift the handling of corruption back to the police and prosecutors. Following President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s speech on focusing his second term on boosting much-needed investment, while reminding of the need for firm action against officials involved in extortion, the new National Police chief, Gen. Idham Azis, invited regional leaders to report attempts at extortion by members of the police force. Likewise, the new Attorney General, Sanitiar Burhanuddin, said he would “wipe out” underlings involved in extortion if he had to.

Popular

Kadin urges stability after Constitutional Court ruling

Jokowi says transition to new government to begi

BCA loan disbursement surges 17.1 percent yoy in first quarter