KPK Leaders, Union in Row over Nationalism Test

Fana Suparman, Dwi Argo Santosa
May 5, 2021 | 10:30 pm
SHARE
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Chairman Firli Bahuri, right, attends a news conference at his office in South Jakarta accompanied by Oversight Board member Indriyanto Seno Adji, center, and KPK Secretary-General Cahya Hardianto Harefa on May 5, 2021. (Antara Photo)
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Chairman Firli Bahuri, right, attends a news conference at his office in South Jakarta accompanied by Oversight Board member Indriyanto Seno Adji, center, and KPK Secretary-General Cahya Hardianto Harefa on May 5, 2021. (Antara Photo)

Jakarta. The employees' association of the Corruption Eradication Commission, or KPK, alleged on Wednesday that there was an attempt to dismiss certain investigators through the so-called nationalism test.

The allegation came after reports that 75 KPK employees have failed the test.

Union chairman Yudi Purnomo went further by saying that the test was part of a bigger attempt to weaken the respected anti-graft agency.

“Bear in mind that this test could be used to filter out professional KPK employees who have integrity and hold strategic posts where they are handling high-profile cases in the commission,” Yudi said in a statement.

Advertisement

Word has it that Yudi and senior investigator Novel Baswedan are among those failing to pass the test.

Yudi claimed that the union on March 4 formally asked KPK leadership to scrap the nationalism test -- part of the administrative process to transform all KPK employees into civil servants as mandated by the amended KPK law.

But Yudi noted the test was initiated by the internal leadership of the commission with no mention in the KPK law or related government regulations.

In a news conference earlier in the day, the KPK leadership board confirmed that 75 of 1,351 employees had failed the test conducted on March 18 through April 9, while two employees were no show.

The nationalism test aims to ensure employees' allegiance to state ideology Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, and the legitimate government, KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri said.

It also seeks to make sure that no KPK employees belong to organizations banned by the government or court order, he said.

The test involved various intelligence agencies, the National Civil Administrative Agency, the Army and the National Counter-Terrorism Agency.

Firli underlined that identities of the 75 employees failing the test have not been disclosed pending formal announcement by KPK Secretary-General Cahya Harefa.

"We can guarantee that those names have not been revealed," he said.

Playing Victim
In a statement issued earlier in the day, Firli lashed into the union for “playing the victim”

“We must not give in to these unethical people who made revelation ahead of formal announcement by the Commission. I know their game, they are playing the victim,” Firli wrote.

Top KPK investigator Novel Baswedan said separately he was informed that he had failed the nationalism test.

“Yes, that was the information I received,” he said.

Novel, who has led investigations into high-profile graft cases, became a victim of acid attack that damaged his eyes in April 2017.

More than two years later, two active police officers handed themselves in to the police after confessing to their roles in the attack.

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

Related Articles


News 4 hours ago

KPK Considers Forced Summons for Singaporean Jet Tycoon in Papua Graft Probe

KPK may forcibly summon Singaporean tycoon Gibrael Isaak after he skipped questioning in a Rp 1.2t Papua graft case linked to a private jet.
News Jun 12, 2025 | 4:48 pm

KPK Links Rp 1.2 Trillion Papua Graft to Private Jet, Airline Boss Fails to Show Up

KPK links Rp 1.2t Papua graft to private jet purchase, but RDG Airlines boss Gibbrael Isaak skips summons. Agency urges him to cooperate.
News Jun 11, 2025 | 10:08 am

KPK Hosts Online Auction Featuring Luxury Bags, Cars, and Real Estate

The KPK will auction 81 seized assets online, including iPhones, luxury bags, cars, and property, starting June 11 at 10 a.m.
News Jun 9, 2025 | 4:58 pm

KPK Expands Crackdown on Foreign Worker Extortion to Immigration Office

KPK expands its $3.3 million graft probe, eyeing immigration officials over alleged extortion in Indonesia’s foreign worker permit process.
News Jun 7, 2025 | 1:27 pm

‘Want It Fast? Pay Up’: KPK Exposes Extortion Methods Targeting Foreign Workers

KPK reveals how Labor Ministry officials extorted Rp 53.7b from foreign worker applicants by stalling permits unless bribes were paid.
News May 31, 2025 | 10:21 am

KPK: Bribery Case in Foreign Worker Permits Could Undermine Investment

KPK warns Rp 53b bribery in foreign worker permits could hurt investment, expose Indonesia to unqualified labor, and damage governance.
News May 27, 2025 | 10:17 am

KPK Investigates $3.3M Bribery Network in Foreign Worker Permit Case

KPK is probing a Rp53B extortion scheme at the Manpower Ministry tied to foreign worker permits, ongoing since 2019 with 8 suspects named.
News May 21, 2025 | 12:32 pm

“They Target Our Families”: Ex-KPK Official Details Terror Tactics Used by the Powerful

Yudi Purnomo warns of rising threats against KPK officers, urging protection as Prabowo acknowledges dangers in anti-graft fight.
News May 20, 2025 | 7:20 pm

Eight Named in Bribery Case Over Foreign Work Permits at Manpower Ministry

Under Indonesian law, foreign nationals working in the country are required to obtain work permits issued by the Manpower Ministry.
News May 10, 2025 | 11:25 am

KPK Investigator Says Ex-Chief Firli Foiled Arrest of Hasto and Fugitive Harun

KPK witness says ex-chairman Firli Bahuri leaked 2020 sting, derailing arrests of PDIP's Hasto Kristiyanto and fugitive Harun Masiku.

The Latest


News 24 minutes ago

Air India Crash Death Toll Rises to 270

Air India crash death toll climbs to 270 as search teams recover more bodies; investigators analyze black box for crash clues.
News 35 minutes ago

Australian Man Killed, Another Injured in Bali Villa Shooting

An Australian man was killed and another wounded after a gunman broke into their villa in Bali's Badung regency early Saturday morning.
News 2 hours ago

Slovak Hiker Injured on Mount Agung Rescued by SAR Team

Slovak hiker injured on Mount Agung rescued by SAR team after slipping at 2,600m. She sustained minor injuries but is in stable condition.
News 4 hours ago

KPK Considers Forced Summons for Singaporean Jet Tycoon in Papua Graft Probe

KPK may forcibly summon Singaporean tycoon Gibrael Isaak after he skipped questioning in a Rp 1.2t Papua graft case linked to a private jet.
Business 4 hours ago

Qatar’s Barzan Doubts ‘Big Market’ Indonesia Will Put Brake on Its Defense Investment

According to Barzan Holdings, Indonesia's defense investment will remain unaffected by economic hurdles.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED