Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 07/23/2008 10:52 AM | Headlines
Attorney General Hendarman Supandji has acknowledged the law enforcement agency he leads is facing a credibility crisis due to a number of corruption cases implicating "certain individuals" within the body.
However, he said efforts were being made to restore the body's image, citing the dismissal of non-performing prosecutors in the drive against graft, the reinstatement of a special team to fight corruption and the launch of a special program to speed up prosecution procedures for graft cases.
"We admit this institution is facing a crisis of credibility. We may deny it, but it will never salvage our dignity and respect," Hendarman said in a ceremony that marked the 48th anniversary of the Attorney General's Office (AGO) on Tuesday.
As the country's anti-graft drive continued to intensify, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested senior prosecutor Urip Tri Gunawan for allegedly receiving US$660,000 and Rp 100 million (US$10,870) in bribes from businesswoman Artalyta Suryani.
The KPK said the bribery was linked to the alleged embezzlement of Bank Indonesia liquidity loans involving tycoon Sjamsul Nursalim. The AGO had dropped investigations into the case.
During the businesswoman's trial, KPK prosecutors presented taped phone conversations between Artalyta and the then-junior attorney general for special crimes Kemas Yahya Rahman and junior attorney general for state administration Untung Udji Santoso. The two top prosecutors have been replaced.
Hendarman said he had also shown 25 district prosecutor's office chiefs the door and would dismiss another 11 for performing poorly in fighting corruption.
Hendarman said the AGO was establishing a special team of prosecutors to fight corruption. The team will be launched on Dec. 9 in conjunction with International Anti-Corruption Day.
"The special team will be dispatched to every provincial prosecutor's office in the country," he said.
Prosecutors are being selected across the country, and will be trained in anti corruption, according to Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes Marwan Effendy.
Marwan said the AGO had initiated a special program called "speedy investigation" which would speed up prosecutions and demand heavier alternative punishments for corruption suspects to prevent them from opting against paying restitutions.
Under the program, prosecutors must complete their investigations within two months, he said.
"In the past, for example, an individual would be named a suspect after five to six years," Marwan said.
An extension for an investigation, he said, "is given only if the case is facing difficulties, for example if the suspect escapes."
The program is currently handling corruption cases implicating executives of state postal company PT Pos Indonesia, state bank BNI and state pharmaceutical company PT Bio Farma, Marwan said.
Attorney General Hendarman Supandji has acknowledged the law enforcement agency he leads is facing a credibility crisis due to a number of corruption cases implicating "certain individuals" within the body.
However, he said efforts were being made to restore the body's image, citing the dismissal of non-performing prosecutors in the drive against graft, the reinstatement of a special team to fight corruption and the launch of a special program to speed up prosecution procedures for graft cases.
"We admit this institution is facing a crisis of credibility. We may deny it, but it will never salvage our dignity and respect," Hendarman said in a ceremony that marked the 48th anniversary of the Attorney General's Office (AGO) on Tuesday.
As the country's anti-graft drive continued to intensify, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested senior prosecutor Urip Tri Gunawan for allegedly receiving US$660,000 and Rp 100 million (US$10,870) in bribes from businesswoman Artalyta Suryani.
The KPK said the bribery was linked to the alleged embezzlement of Bank Indonesia liquidity loans involving tycoon Sjamsul Nursalim. The AGO had dropped investigations into the case.
During the businesswoman's trial, KPK prosecutors presented taped phone conversations between Artalyta and the then-junior attorney general for special crimes Kemas Yahya Rahman and junior attorney general for state administration Untung Udji Santoso. The two top prosecutors have been replaced.
Hendarman said he had also shown 25 district prosecutor's office chiefs the door and would dismiss another 11 for performing poorly in fighting corruption.
Hendarman said the AGO was establishing a special team of prosecutors to fight corruption. The team will be launched on Dec. 9 in conjunction with International Anti-Corruption Day.
"The special team will be dispatched to every provincial prosecutor's office in the country," he said.
Prosecutors are being selected across the country, and will be trained in anti corruption, according to Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes Marwan Effendy.
Marwan said the AGO had initiated a special program called "speedy investigation" which would speed up prosecutions and demand heavier alternative punishments for corruption suspects to prevent them from opting against paying restitutions.
Under the program, prosecutors must complete their investigations within two months, he said.
"In the past, for example, an individual would be named a suspect after five to six years," Marwan said.
An extension for an investigation, he said, "is given only if the case is facing difficulties, for example if the suspect escapes."
The program is currently handling corruption cases implicating executives of state postal company PT Pos Indonesia, state bank BNI and state pharmaceutical company PT Bio Farma, Marwan said.