KPK Catch Immigration Graft on Video

Last updated at 1:22 AM. Saturday 20 March 2010

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Go to comments February 09, 2010

Nivell Rayda

KPK Catch Immigration Graft on Video

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.

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Comments

Marmz

10:46 PM February 10, 2010

“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.

Why didn't you? Thats your frigging JOB.

Salimharko

8:06 PM February 10, 2010

Put it bluntly. The whole immigration system is corrupt and designed to be corrupt. It is a money spinner, from the minister to the smallest official.

peroblanco

6:52 PM February 10, 2010

“Our eyes were shut and our hands chained,” Patrialis said.

By greed?

peterR

2:43 PM February 10, 2010

padt.....You have pretty much summed it up. It really does not matter much whether you are talking about endemic corruption in every government institution, plastic bags, illegal logging, education, health, bus lanes, tourism, or just about any other problem that inflicts Indonesia, of which there are so very many. The administration running the country is made up in the large part of crooks, deadbeats, half-wits, and overbearing, self promoting morons. You have people doing jobs that they have not the first clue about, nor the remotest interest in, with zero creativity and seriously limited intellect. Of course, I am generalising.

Valkyrie

11:00 AM February 10, 2010

I would suggest the law prosecutes them to the fullest extent......jail them for life without ANY remission. To defray costs, make them work on cleaning public toilets and those filthy rivers.

budiman.li

6:41 AM February 10, 2010

It's only a matter of time when KPK will expose even more endemic corruptions happening in almost every matter related to public officials.

The biggest question is "How to eradicate this once and for all?" Anyone got great ideas?

Valkyrie

6:32 AM February 10, 2010

Crimes have been committed and they should be duly punished and must not be let off that easily. Ordinary folks suffer the wrath of the law whilst these crooks can go on wihout having to pay for their erroneous ways. There's bad odour emanating from justice.

padt

6:15 AM February 10, 2010

The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights oversees immigration affairs and the penal system. Can anyone explain to me how such a department should have anything to do with Immigration. Surely an Immigration Department would oversee immigration matters. I suspect part of the problem experienced daily in Indonesia is as a result of a confused and inefficient bureaucracy. It sounds like a muddle to me. The Minister's response sounds childish to me and the KPK's likewise. Sometimes, as things are reported in the press - what politicians and officials say makes me wince with embarrassment. Why do so many of these government representatives sound like naive teenagers? Of course, any public official who demands a bribe should be prosecuted.