KPK Selection Committee Announces 8 Candidates of KPK Leaders

The Chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) selection committee (Pansel) Destry Damayanti accompanied by selection committee members responding to the question of reporter at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday 1 September 2015

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) selection committee (Pansel) for KPK leader candidates does not boldy guarantee that the eight names of candidates who passed the selection are free from corruption case. However, the selection committee guarantees that the eight names announced by President Joko Widodo have no criminal record.

“The selection committee can not guarantee they are free from corruption cases, but at least the selected names do not have any criminal records. Our guarantee is based on reports and records that we have received until yesterday,” the Chief of KPK selection committee Destry Damayanti said while responding to the reporters at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday afternoon (1/9).

As previously reported, President Joko Widodo has announced the eight names of proposed candidates who passed the selection held by selection commitee, among others: 1. Saut Situmorang; 2. Surya Chandra; 3. Alexander Marwatta; 4. Basaria Panjaitan; 5. Agus Rahardjo; 6. Sujanarko; 7. Johan Budi Sapto Pribowo; and 8. Laode Muhamad Syarif.

Destry highlighted that if there is a case involving the eight leader candidates happens in the future, it is not selection commitee’s authority. She stated that the selection commitee has delivered to the related parties that people can give inputs to the selection commitee if they find records related to the leader candidates.

“When there were 48 candidate names that were selected from 194 names, we have opened a special website, www.capimkpk.setneg.go.id. So, we have provided many spaces and time for the people and other institutions to give us some records and notes,”Destry said while hoping the notes do not create big problem in the future because it has been discussed with law enforcement officer.

According to Destry, in a decision making to select the eight names, the selection commitee should take into account three factors, such as: interview result, medical check up (mental and physical) result and inputs from the institutions which perform track records investigation, namely Indonesian National Police (Polri), Attorney Office, KPK, Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK), the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), Ministry of Finance and civil society organization under the coordination of Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW).

Later on, the three factors are combined and produce five other factors, namely: 1. Integrity; 2. Competence; 3.Leadership; 4. Independence; and 5. Working experience.

“From those points, we obtain the eight names,” Destry said.

Regarding a letter from Polri which says there are indications that a candidate becomes a suspect, Destry explained that it is also a consideration for selection commitee to pass the names suggested to the President. However, according to Destry, the letter was not handed to President Joko Widodo.

 The Chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission’s selection committee Destry Damayanti also said that the selection commitee has granted permission from President Joko Widodo to hand over the eight names that passed the selection to the House of Representatives (DPR).

“The selection commitee will meet DPR for sure because DPR is the Government’s partner. We will give our views on the related eight candidates to DPR,” Destry added.

Regarding classification of four categories for eight leader candidates who passed the selection, Destry said that in the selection commitee’s view, the four categories are important for the future of KPK and it must grow and become strong together.

Destry said that DPR has the rights not to notice the four categories, but the selection commitee has proposed an objective input.” Basically, we give inputs after we map the challenges that KPK will face in the future and it is based on KPK authority that in line with KPK Law”, she said.

A member of selection commitee Yenti Garnasih added that after the name of candidates are handed over to DPR, DPR must give the decision at least 3 months after the hand over.

“Article 32 on KPK Law says that DPR obligates to choose 5 from the given names, since we have two names already, Robby Arya Brata dan Busyro Muqoddas. We have another 10 names. So, 5 of them will be selected, which one of them will become the chief, and the rest are deputy chiefs,” Yenti said.

After the names handed over to the President, Yenti added that 30 days after the date, President must inaugurate and replace former chief of KPK whose tenure ends. (ES/Humas)(RAS/MMB/YM/Naster)