KEMITRAAN Executive Director Laode M. Syarif delivered his presentation at the release of Indonesia’s corruption perception index 2023 at the JW Marriot Hotel, Jakarta, Tuesday (30/1/2024).
JAKARTA – Efforts to eradicate corruption in Indonesia are still running in place. This can be seen from the stagnation of Indonesia’s Corruption Perception Index in 2023 with a score of 34. This score is equal to Indonesia’s Corruption Perception Index in 2022.
This stagnation shows the slow response to corruption, which continues to worsen due to the lack of alignment from stakeholders. The tendency to neglect the fight against corruption is increasingly evident. This began with the weakening of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), changes to the Constitutional Court Law, and the government’s neglect of various conflict of interest practices.
In the release of the Indonesian Corruption Perception Index organized by Transparency International Indonesia at the JW Marriot Hotel, Jakarta, Tuesday (30/1/2024), KEMITRAAN Executive Director Laode M. Syarif also delivered a number of presentations. In his presentation, Syarif said the Indonesian Corruption Perception Index is a valid measuring tool in measuring the level of corruption in Indonesia. Therefore, he asked for the seriousness of all parties in responding to the stagnation of Indonesia’s Corruption Perception Index.
He also said that the presidential and vice presidential candidates have a big responsibility and task to strengthen the corruption eradication system in Indonesia. It is in their hands that the future of corruption eradication lies.
“We must wait for the commitment and hard work of the presidential candidates and become a president who is willing to become an anti-corruption commander,” Syarif said.
Syarif also said that there is a myriad of homework awaiting the presidential and vice presidential candidates in the corruption eradication sector, such as improving democracy and accountability of political parties.
“Then eliminate all money politics and diseases of democracy. Money politics must be reduced because it will not increase (democracy points),” he said.
Syarif also mentioned another big task, which is to eliminate corruption in law enforcement officials and the military. Then eliminate all bribery or gratuities in the business world.
“Next, restore the independence of the KPK (Corruption Eradication Commission) and promulgate the draft asset recovery law,” he said.
Lastly, revising the corruption law (tipikor). Syarif said he had been pushing for this since he was the KPK leader.
“Because the typikor law has not included various elements such as corruption in the private sector,” he explained.
A similar recommendation was made by Transparency International Indonesia. They call on the government, parliament, judiciary and all elements of the state to ensure that the quality of democracy runs according to the expectations of citizens who are oriented towards eradicating corruption. The hope is that all of this can have an impact on welfare and social justice.
Transparency International Indonesia also calls on the President, the House of Representatives and political parties, election organizers and oversight institutions, as well as law enforcement agencies to ensure that elections are held honestly, fairly and with integrity.
As for combating corruption, an independent judiciary is absolutely necessary. A judicial and law enforcement system that is free from interference from other branches of power can effectively punish all criminals and provide checks on power.
In addition, the government and law enforcement agencies are asked to be more serious in combating corruption in the private sector. The hope is to bring in investments that favor environmental sustainability and social justice. In addition, the government and law enforcement must guarantee the aspirations of the public, journalists, academics and not criminalize citizens who criticize.
