Fit and proper test of the eight candidates for the leadership of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is vulnerable to politicization and even used as an opportunity to weaken the KPK. The signs have started to appear from a variety of jarringcomments from the legislatives house. There is great concern that political parties’ intervention will occur at this stage because as the epicenter of corruption, parliament and political parties are concerned to put their "men" as leaders of the KPK to secure political corruption cases.
"Seeing that the fit and proper test process conducted by the House of Representatives always turns into a political transaction, the promise made by House of Representatives to choose the KPK leadership with high level of credibility is often not proven," said analysts from the Center for Anti-Corruption Studies (PUKAT) of UGM Faculty of Law, Oce Madril, on Thursday (10/11).
Oce added that to prevent politicization, the process of fit and proper test should be conducted openly. Public input related to the candidate’s track record should also be accommodated by the House of Representatives. Besides, Oce said, the public should also be engaged to monitor every fit and proper test process so that political transaction would not happen.
"It should be made open to provide transparency. It is also to monitor that public input is accommodated," he explained.
At the same place, another PUKAT researcher, Danang Kurniadi, added the criteria for candidates should be observed. Criteria that have been proposed to the House of Representatives by the selection committee should be more intensified. The criteria are regarding commitment and anti-corruption integrity issues, track record and partisan leadership candidates.
"KPK leaders must have good experience and achievements in the field of corruption law enforcement. This is important so that in the future, KPK will be led by those who have reliable skills and capacities," said Danang.
Danang particularly assessed the inclusion of police and prosecutors to KPK would potentially interfere with the independence of the KPK. Police and prosecutors are doubted in terms of their sole-dedication to the KPK. This will complicate the KPK in investigating cases related to the legal mafia.