Johan Budi Ready to Lead Corruption Watchdog

Jakarta Globe, Feb 19, 2015

Johan Budi has been appointed as a temporary commissioner of the
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). (Antara Foto/Reno Esnir)

Jakarta. Newly appointed anti-graft agency commissioner Johan Budi says he is ready to lead the organization and hopes changes made by President Joko Widodo on Wednesday signal a new era in relations with the National Police.

Johan was one of three temporary substitutes named to take the place of Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chief Abraham Samad, deputy chief Bambang Widjojanto and Busyro Muqoddas, whose term expired last year.

The president announced he would temporarily suspend Abraham and Bambang while they were being investigated by police.

Johan, who is the KPK’s deputy for corruption prevention, said he told Vice President Jusuf Kalla during a late-night phone call on Wednesday that he was ready to lead.

Johan said he believed Wednesday’s press conference showed Joko had decided to reset relations between the KPK and National Police.

During the televised press conference the president also announced he would drop graft suspect Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan as candidate for National Police chief. Comr. Gen. Badrodin Haiti, the acting National Police chief, has been nominated for the role instead.

Relations between the police and KPK have hit new lows over the past few weeks. Leaders from the KPK have been announced as criminal suspects in a range of historic cases, which many observers have concluded is retaliation for their decision to name Budi Gunawan a graft suspect.