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Life after the storm: Ex-KPK employees recover their dreams
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Scenic route: Tri Artining Putri is now finding time for herself and is currently on a month-long road trip around Java. (Courtesy of Tri Artining Putri) (Personal collection/Courtesy of Tri Artining Putri)
I
n September, the KPK sacked 58 employees who had failed a controversial civics test that was required by law to upgrade them to civil servant status. Two months later, the “KPK 58” are en route to rebuilding their lives.
Ita Khoiriyah is standing in a mess of flour and butter, her kitchen filled with the smell of baking bread. It’s been over a year since she made her first garlic bread and she’s gotten good at it.
“I can’t believe this thing saved me,” she said, on the edge of laughter. “I wasn’t in a very good place back then,” Ita shared.
Considering her journey so far, Ita has good reason to celebrate each perfect loaf. This time last year, Ita was working at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), managing public relations for some of the most high-profile corruption cases in the country.
She said that her job at the KPK helped provide her with “a family, a home and a purpose”.
But it all changed when the controversial KPK Law revision was passed and a questionable candidate was appointed as its leader despite widespread public opposition. Then came the final blow: 58 employees critical to the newly restructured KPK were forced out after they failed a civic knowledge test.
