KPK Catch Immigration Graft on Video

Jakarta Globe, Nivell Rayda, February 09, 2010

Minister of Justice of Human Rights Patrialis Akbar has had to endure yet another embarrassing revelation of graft within his domain when the Corruption Eradication Commission played footage on Tuesday of immigration officials pocketing bribes.

For the last two years, the commission, also known as the KPK, had secretly taped immigration officials pocketing illegal fees at offices in South Jakarta, Bandung, Medan and Aceh.

The KPK had even recorded illicit funds changing hands inside the ministry’s headquarters in Kuningan, South Jakarta.

Muhammad Jasin, KPK deputy for graft prevention, said the officials caught on tape were handling applications for passports and visas. The antigraft agency, however, has given the ministry a chance to discipline its officials and conduct internal reforms.

“We could have easily arrested those involved, but it is better to allow the immigration office to reform the system and improve remuneration,” he said.

The minister was baffled by the KPK’s revelation, as well as its benevolence. “Our eyes were shut and our hands chained,” Patrialis said to senior officials at the ministry attending the presentation. “The KPK still cares about us. This is a very valuable warning.”

The minister ordered his directorate general of immigration to follow up on the matter.

The immigration office has long been known as one of the most corrupt public offices in the land, with bribes having to be paid for almost all services it provides, according to the latest Transparency International Indonesia report.

This is the second embarrassment for Patrialis, who just finished his first 100 days in office.

Last month, the judicial mafia task force conducted a surprise inspection of the Pondok Bambu Women’s Penitentiary in East Jakarta. The ministry oversees the nation’s penal system.

Officials discovered that certain high-profile inmates, including businesswoman Artalyta Suryani, sentenced to five years in prison in 2008 for bribing a state prosecutor, enjoyed special privileges including spa treatments, air-conditioning and LCD televisions. At the time of the inspection, Artalyta was having a facial treatment.