Anti-Corruption Study Center (PUKAT) of UGM Faculty of Law discovered a latent problem in the internal body of Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) after seeing the agency’s plan to rotate its 14 officials equivalent to Echelon II and Echelon III. This plan receives much public criticism due to its vague motives.
According to researcher of PUKAT UGM, Hifdzil Alim, S.H., M.H., , this kind of plan is commonly found in agencies. However, he underlined the lack of clarity in the mechanism of job rotation.
He continued, Government Regulation No. 63 of 2005 has regulated employee transfers and promotions that are adjusted to demands, workload, goals and objectives of the organization based on the performance appraisal of each employee. “However, the regulation does not explain the details in the form of Commission Regulations,” he said at a press conference at PUKAT Office, Tuesday (8/21).
In fact, Hifdzil added, the rotation process at the KPK was handed over to the bureau of human resources but is currently controlled by the executives. “This raises the assumption that rotations are solely based on preferences.”
The problem was made worse by a recent statement of Agus Rahardjo. Chairman of KPK, that external interventions are not needed in the internal affairs of KPK.
Zaenur Rahman, another researcher of PUKAT involved in this study, regretted the Chairman’s attitude. He mentioned that KPK often reminded other agencies to implement the merit system, which is an honest management and policy of human resources based on their qualification, competence, and performance.
“As is the case with the Supreme Court and Provincial Government of Banten they once rebuked.”
On the contrary, KPK itself does not implement the system in its rotation process when it should set a good example for others.
This problem raised many questions on the independence of KPK. Zaenur asserted that KPK might have been long disbanded without public support. “Or at least stripped from their authorities.”
Zaenur was concerned the upcoming presidential election would trigger corruptions. On the other hand, he found a possibility to use this problem to reformulate KPK as an agency. “In fact, the corrupt legislation can be reformulated.”
Therefore, PUKAT UGM initiated the study of this problem. Yuris Reza Setiawan, another researcher, stated that PUKAT is only present as a supportive third party.
He noted the three points proposed by PUKAT to KPK as the solutions. First, encouraging KPK to comply with the applicable rules regarding transfer and rotation. Next, urging the executives to implement the merit system. Last, officials and employees must maintain the solidarity, integrity, and honour of KPK.
“Once these three solutions are realized, they will become a shield for KPK in the future,” concluded Yuris.