KPK's Loss, Journalism's Victory as Johan Budi Fails to Make the Top Five
Jakarta. After failing to secure the top position at the Corruption Eradication Commission, spokesman and former interim commissioner of Indonesia's anti-graft body Johan Budi revealed on Friday that he may return to the industry that shaped him: journalism.
“I want to jump back into my previous world, the writing business,” said Johan, who broke into law enforcement in 2006 as the commission's spokesman.
President Joko Widodo appointed him interim commissioner in February, along with Indriyanto Seno Adji and Taufiqurrachman Ruki as chairman. The three were tasked to temporarily replace former chief Abraham Samad and ex-commissioners Bambang Widjojanto and Busyro Muqoddas.
The former two were at that time forced to deal with legal matters while Busyro's term had ended in December 2014.
Prior to joining the anti-corruption agency, better known as the KPK, Johan spent 11 years honing his journalism skills with Tempo magazine (2000-2006), Forum Keadilan (1995-2000), and Media Indonesia (1994-1999), all are known for their in-depth investigative articles.
But despite his successful nine-year run as the "face" of the KPK and passing all the requirements stipulated by the House of Representatives, lawmakers scrutinized his educational background and focused on the fact that he lacked a law degree. This is the second time the lawmaker rejected Johan.
The veteran reporter calmly pointed out that Indonesia's KPK Law does not require its graft busters to be law graduates; anyone with a legal tertiary education may lead the KPK.
Still, Johan's valid argument fell on deaf ears as the House announced on Thursday it had taken him and Busyro out of the running, settling on their five competitors to lead the anti-graft agency through 2019.
Agus Rahardjo, the head of the government’s Goods and Services Procurement Policy Institution, or LKPP, is the new KPK chairman.
The four new deputy chairs and commissioners are: Brig. Gen. Basaria Panjaitan, from the National Police; Saut Situmorang, a former State Intelligence Agency (BIN) official; Alexander Marwata, an ad-hoc anti-corruption judge at the Central Jakarta District Court; and Laode Muhamad Syarif, dean of the law school at Makassar’s Hasanuddin University.
Vetting for the new KPK leaders were done by the Commission III at the House of Representatives, which overseas legal affairs and laws.
KPK union worker chairman Faisal expressed disappointment as he also expected Johan, already considered as internal worker of the KPK, to win the selection.
"From the internal organization point of view, KPK also needs leaders who know how to develop the organization, especially for developing its human resources," said Faisal, adding that the union can do nothing but welcome their new leaders.
Johan said he "respects" the lawmakers' decision, adding that his family was actually relieved he can now leave behind his law enforcement career.
He did not elaborate on what exactly he next plans to do and where.
Criminal law expert Agustinus Pohan of Bandung’s Parahyangan University said the new line-up of KPK leaders has much to do to restore its image, with critics arguing the anti-graft body had been purposely weakened by Joko's administration.
“Agus's job is now to restore the public's confidence in the KPK. He must prove that the agency is independent and cannot be intervened or infiltrated by any external interests. Nor can it be a political tool in its fight against corruption," Agustinus said.
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