Corruption as Usual

Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej is a government official who does not mince words. The deputy minister of justice and human rights recently suggested that state prosecutors may demand capital punishment for the two former ministers recently apprehended by the antigraft body KPK. As the professor in law from the Yogya-based University of Gajah Mada sees it, under the current Corruption Law the death sentence is applicable to former ministers Edhy Prabowo (marine and fisheries) and Juliari Batubara (social services).

- Taufik Darusman

Not surprisingly, Hiariej’s statement drew fire from members of the House of Representatives (DPR-RI). Some have in fact demanded that Hiariej retract his statement. The two former ministers have yet to undergo due process. As such, government officials should refrain from making statements pertaining to the case, the House members insist. Critics, however, reminded them they are the last people to comment on the issue. After all, their colleague, former Speaker of the House Setya Novanto, is currently serving a jail sentence for his involvement in the E-KTP (electronic ID card) financial scandal.

To get a better perspective on the House, it is constructive to be reminded that last year the Global Corruption Barometer (GCB) 2020 by Transparency International Indonesia (TII) dismissed the House of Representatives (DPR-RI) as the country’s “most corrupt institution.” (Following on its heels are central and regional government officials, the police, business people and judiciary officials.)