For Most Indonesians, KPK Is the Only Credible Graftbuster

JakartaGlobe, Yustinus Paat, November 26, 2015

A poll of 1,500 respondents by Indonesia Corruption Watch found that an
overwhelming 98 percent felt the KPK was necessary in Indonesia’s fight against
graft. (Antara Photo/Ismar Patrizki)

Jakarta. Most Indonesians feel the national antigraft commission is indispensable, in the absence of strong and consistent law enforcement by police and prosecutors, a survey has found.

The poll of 1,500 respondents by Indonesia Corruption Watch found that an overwhelming 98 percent felt the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) was necessary in Indonesia’s fight against graft.

Respondents also rated the KPK higher than the National Police and the Attorney General’s Office on a scale of 1 to 10 of how committed they were to tackling corruption.

“They gave an average score of 5.3 for the police, 5.6 for the AGO, and 7.8 for the KPK, meaning they believe the KPK can do a better job when it comes to handling corruption cases compared to the other two,” Firdaus Ilyas, ICW’s research coordinator, said at the release of the survey’s findings in Jakarta on Thursday.

The poll also found, unsurprisingly, that respondents considered the House of Representatives the top priority for the KPK to tackle. Corruption perception indexes have consistently ranked the House as being among the most graft-ridden institutions in Indonesia.

“Thirty-four percent of the respondents said the House should be the KPK’s first target, followed by 22 percent for the police, 13 percent for the courts, 8 percent each for ministries and political parties, 7 percent for the state-owned companies, and 5 percent for the AGO,” Firdaus said.

The findings from the survey chime with a similar poll released last month by Indo Barometer, showing the KPK was by far the most trusted public institution in Indonesia, well ahead of the AGO and the police force.