YOGYAKARTA-Tensions between the Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) and the National Police concerned many institutions and people, including universities. The issue is the attempts to weaken corruption eradication in Indonesia which undermined public trust to the police institution and lower public expectations and optimism towards corruption eradication in Indonesia.
"This phenomenon increasingly leaves from the situation that we need in the corruption eradication effort; the fight should, instead, take place between the Commission (including the Police) against corruptors," the UGM Rector, Prof. Dr. Pratikno, M.Soc.Sc, said, delivering UGM official stance related to the feud between the KPK and the National Police, Monday (8/10), in the office of the Anti-Corruption Research Center (PUKAT), Faculty of Law, UGM.
Giving the official statement, the Rector was accompanied by several professors, lecturers, activists and students, such as Prof. Dr. Djamaludin Ancok, Prof. Dr. Ir. Mochammad Maksum, Dr. Drs. Paripurna, SH, M. Hum., LL.M., Zainal Arifin Muchtar, SH, LL.M. , Ir. Syaukat Ali, MT., Dr. Fahmy Radhi, MBA., Arie Sujito, S.Sos., M.Sc., Prof. Dr. Saldi Isra, SH, MPA (Andalas University) and President of UGM Student Association, Giovanni van Empel.
UGM, according to Pratikno, is also concerned about attempts to weaken corruption eradication which led the Commission to a few things, namely the revision of the Law of Corruption Eradication Commission (UU KPK) and the pressure on the KPK personnel.
Seeing these conditions, UGM urged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) to take prompt and appropriate action to fully support the KPK in the corruption eradication, including strengthening the position of the KPK as the extra-ordinary agency which is required in combating extraordinary crimes such as corruption.
"In addition, we also urge the House of Representatives (DPR) to stop the revision of KPK Law which will weaken the institutional body of KPK," he said.
In the same place, an UGM socio-political observer, Arie Sujito, S.Sos., M.Sc, hoped that President SBY dares to take the momentum this time to support and strengthen the KPK. The President must be willing to take the risks to save the people by supporting the KPK.
"Don’t let this corruption end up in negotiation and compromise because they will only impoverish and make distance with the people," Arie said.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Saldi Isra, SH, MPA, firmly hoped President SBY to convey a firm stance, not making ambiguous statements in supporting the KPK. A meeting plan between the KPK and the National Police is expected not to produce a win-win solution, especially related to the corruption case in Driving License simulator provision.
"The president should be able to capture the aspirations of the public so there is no question ‘where is our President?" Saldi said.
After reading the statement, the Rector followed by UGM academic community subsequently signed a banner, endorsing the saving and strengthening of the KPK.