Palu, C Sulawesi, (Antaranews Sulteng) - A deputy chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said he saw a tragedy instead of an achievement in the success in arresting corrupt officials.
Alexander Marwata was commenting on growing number of heads of regional administrations caught red handed accepting bribe by KPK.
"In two and a half years, I did not count how many heads of regional administrations have been caught red handed. What is certain is in 2018 alone there were already more than 10," Alexander Marwata said after opening a joint training to improve the capacity of law enforcement apparatuses here on Monday.
He said the arrest of the heads of regional administrations is a tragedy as they were the choices of the majority of the people and are expected to bring about change and improvement in their respective regions.
"It is contrary to common sense when the people elected a head of regional administration they hope to bring about improvement to their region but at the same time the people were glad that the one they chose was arrested and caught red handed in a graft case," he said.
He then said he hoped the people, after electing their regional leaders, would continue to watch that their chosen one would not betray them.
It is not the duty of KPK alone but the people should also do their part in controlling the activities of the leader they chose, he said.
"This is the weak point that the heads of regional administrations were tempted to commit corruption," he said, adding KPK, therefore, need to cooperate with police, BPK , BPKP and prosecution office.
Meanwhile, in Jakarta Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo asked KPK to speed up the legal process against heads of regional administrations arrested by the anti graft agency on charge of corruption.
"We have asked KPK leaders that the legal case of corruption suspects, who won the recent regional elections could be processed immediately. We have no intention of intervention in the legal case," Tjahjo Kumolo said on Monday.
Immediate process of the legal case would bring certainty to the status of regional leaders involved in corruption cases , especially those winning the regional elections, the minister said.
Two of nine candidates taking part in the regional election for heads of regional administrations won the majority votes based on the recapitulations announced by the Election Commission.
They are Ahmad Hidayat Mus, who is candidate for North Maluku governor and Tulungagung Regent Syahri Mulyo.
Under the country`s regulation, they would be officially installed even if they are still held in detention by KPK. If the court later found them guilty they would be dismissed
Arrests of many regional leaders a tragedy: KPK
Deputy Chairman of KPK Alexander Marwata (Antaranews Sulteng/Sulapto Sali)
In two and a half years, I did not count how many heads of regional administrations have been caught red handed. What is certain is in 2018 alone there were already more than 10
