Dr. Muhammad Busyro Muqoddas, Former Deputy Chair of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) from 2011 to 2015, stated that the KPK has become weaker in its fight against corruption.
He added that the KPK has lost its independence following legal amendments by the president and the House of Representatives (DPR).
“The KPK now feels like a ‘fake’ version since the original law was changed. Sometimes, I feel ashamed to be called a former Deputy Chair of the KPK, as it has weakened. But I remain optimistic and ready to assist the government,” said Dr. Muqoddas during a Ramadan Public Lecture titled “The Reality of Indonesia’s Legal System: Is There Still Hope for the Future of Corruption Eradication?” on Monday, Mar. 24, 2025, at the UGM Campus Mosque.
He criticized several laws, such as the revised KPK Law and the ITE Law, for contradicting the values in the 1945 Constitution’s preamble.
Dr. Muqoddas, who is also a UGM Faculty of Law (FH UGM) alumnus, emphasized that despite the ongoing corruption issues, there is still hope for its eradication if the legal system is defended seriously.
Although the KPK has been politically weakened, the fight for truth and justice must continue.
“Students, lecturers, and rectors must defend the truth and work toward improving the nation, with change beginning from individual awareness and the academic environment,” he said.
However, he noted that changes in the legal system depend on political dynamics.
If the DPR and the president fail to protect the quality of the legal system, laws may be altered for personal interests.
“Our legal system is already ideal and does not need constant changes. We must continue to fight for truth, justice, humanity, ethics, and morality,” Dr. Muqoddas concluded.
Author: Lintang
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang
Photograph: Muhammadiyah.or.id