Indonesia’s golden era of corruption eradication has ended. Once the dust kicked up by Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan’s nomination as police chief settles, all that’s left to work out is how the national antigraft agency can work in harmony with the police and the Attorney General’s Office.

Two of the four leaders of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) have been declared suspects in criminal cases. President Joko Widodo has already issued a decree to appoint their replacements. But the problem with this kind of appointment is that the appointees will always be the president’s men, thus destroying the KPK’s independence.

As Joko is trying to calm down the police and the political situation in general, these new KPK leaders will try to play it safe to avoid making the situation worse for the president.

So we can expect that from now until October, when these commissioners’ terms end, the KPK will not go after any big fish.

The KPK handing over its case against Budi Gunawan to the AGO is only the first sign that the agency is trying to play it safe. It indicated that the KPK was backing down from investigating any graft allegations involving members of the police.

The weakening of the KPK is a result of various factors, including Joko’s indecisiveness, but in stark contrast, all of the agency’s enemies, especially politicians in the House of Representatives, have been united.

That is why it is unlikely that the selection process of new KPK leaders in October — by the House — will result in an independent, brave and dedicated antigraft body.

The fight against corruption is increasingly becoming an uphill battle. But the people should not give up hope and the struggle should continue.

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Source: The Jakarta Globe