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Concerns of cover up grow after KPK dismisses officials probing KPU bribery case
An investigator and a prosecutor have been dismissed from the KPK amid an investigation into a bribery case that implicates the country's poll body and ruling party.
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Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto leaves the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) building in Jakarta on Jan. 24 following questioning related to a bribery case implicating party legislative candidate Harun Masiku and General Elections Commission (KPU) member Wahyu Setiawan. (Antara/M. Risyal Hidayat)
T
he Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is once again under the spotlight after two officials leading an investigation into a corruption case implicating the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) were dismissed.
In a move that may cripple the investigation into alleged bribery implicating PDI-P politician Harun Masiku, Rossa Purbo Bekti, a police officer who had been stationed at the antigraft agency and involved in the arrests of suspects in the case, has been dismissed from the KPK and returned to the National Police.
The KPK and the National Police were reportedly at odds over the grounds for his dismissal, resulting in Rossa being barred from entering the KPK building in Kuningan, South Jakarta, while also not holding a position at the police headquarters. He has also reportedly not received his salary.
The KPK workers’ union reported the agency’s leaders to an internal supervisory council over its treatment of Rossa, demanding he be allowed to resume his duties at the agency.
“On Jan. 7 and 8, there were operations to arrest several individuals related to the bribery case that implicates a General Elections Commission [KPU] member and a legislative candidate from [the PDI-P]. Rossa was among the investigators who took part in the operations," said union head Yudi Purnomo Harahap on Friday.
He said Rossa had done nothing wrong and should be commended for his achievements in exposing corruption, including the PDI-P case. Rossa's assignment to the KPK was scheduled to end in September.
Another police officer, Indra Saputra, was also sent back to the National Police, although he had completed his three-year assignment.
