Former investigator of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Yudi Purnomo emphasized that the hand-catching operation (OTT) against the number 2 candidate for the Bengkulu Governor, who is also the incumbent Governor of Bengkulu, Rohidin Mersyah, serves as evidence of the importance of OTT in the practice of eradicating corruption.
This was stated by former KPK investigator Yudi Purnomo after many candidates for KPK leadership mentioned that sting operations (OTT) would be discontinued in the future. “I appreciate the KPK’s performance in conducting the OTT in Bengkulu and have already named him a suspect.” “This simultaneously proves that sting operations are still important in uncovering corruption cases,” said Yudi in a statement received on Tuesday (26/11/2024). As someone with extensive experience in conducting sting operations against regional heads during his time at the KPK, Yudi noted that the modus operandi of regional heads’ corruption tends to be consistent and repetitive.
He detailed that the actions were carried out, such as bribes from entrepreneurs winning projects, kickbacks from subordinates who were appointed as officials, or compensation for permits issued.
“That is why incumbent candidates as state organizers are vulnerable to the potential of corruption,” warned Yudi Purnomo.
Yudi believes that the need for money ahead of the elections is certainly related to money politics because it requires a large amount of funds to influence voters.
This, he said, would certainly make candidates who want to cheat think creatively to obtain money instantly.
“It would be disastrous if he is an incumbent, as he would easily obtain money by extorting his staff, especially if he appointed them to their positions and is afraid of losing his position,” criticized the former Chairman of the KPK Employee Forum.
Yudi lamented that such practices still exist and make democracy far from being just, competitive, and free for the public to choose because they are influenced by money.
“Therefore, the incumbents should take this (the KPK’s OTT on the Bengkulu Incumbent Governor) as a deterrent effect and also ask the KPK to fully monitor the circulation of money before the election process takes place. Thus, the regional elections will produce anti-corruption leaders,” he concluded.
KPK Chief Candidates Discuss Eliminating OTT
Previously, the candidate for the leadership of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Johanis Tanak, stated that he was ready to eliminate the Hand Catch Operation (OTT) that is usually conducted by the anti-corruption agency. That statement was immediately met with cheers and applause from Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI).
“If I could, with your permission, become the chairman, I would close it, because that (KPK’s OTT) does not align with the definition intended in the Criminal Procedure Code,” said Johanis during the fit and proper test for KPK leadership candidates at the KPK Building, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, November 19, 2024.
Johanis emphasized that the use of OTT is not appropriate. However, as long as he is part of the KPK, he cannot stop it because the other leaders continue to uphold it, under the pretext of the anti-corruption agency’s tradition.
“Whether this tradition can be applied, I also can’t challenge it,” he concluded.
DPR Supports the Idea of Abolishing OTT
Then, Member of Commission III of the People’s Representative Council (DPR) from the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction, Hasbiallah Ilyas, agreed with the assessment of the Chairman of the National Economic Council, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, that the Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) Operation Catch Hand (OTT) is a petty method. According to him, KPK’s OTT only harms the state’s finances.
This was conveyed during the fit and proper test for the KPK Supervisory Board candidate, Wisnu Baroto, at Commission III of the DPR, Senayan Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
“I agree that sting operations are just amateurish, because sting operations only harm state funds,” said Hasbiallah.
He admitted that he once spoke with one of the KPK leaders who said that conducting an OTT takes a long time. This lengthy process also results in a waste of state funds.
“I once asked one of the KPK leaders, to pursue an OTT it takes a year, how much of our money has to be spent.” “This is the problem we have,” said Hasbiallah.
“Why does the KPK waste more resources?” “OTT for a year, after that the state money is lost first and then they are caught,” he continued.
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