Academics, activists top list of KPK candidates

In its search for candidates with integrity and courage, the government committee tasked with selecting candidates to lead the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is encouraging academics and activists to step forward.

Committee head Patrialis Akbar, also the Law and Human Rights Minister, said on Thursday that he would go the extra mile to ensure the best individuals were nominated to lead the KPK.

“We will ‘pick up the ball’ rather than just waiting for registrants. We have sent letters to several institutions, such as the Rectors Forum and NGOs, calling on quality candidates to apply,” he told reporters at his office.

Patrialis added that the committee had also contacted the National Police, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO), and the Supreme Court about the search. “If anyone has information on individuals with the qualifications to lead the KPK, inform us. We will follow up,” he said.

Of the 30 or so candidates who have registered since the committee started the process on May 30, only 11 have met minimum administrative requirements, including five lawyers, a businessmen, a retired civil servant, a retired police officer and a retired military officer.

Patrialis said he remained optimistic that more candidates would register before registration ended ten days from now. “As usual, many will definitely come in at ‘injury time’,” he said.

A team formed last year to select candidates to replace former KPK chairman Antasari Azhar received 427 applications, 285 of whom were declared administratively eligible.

The team was tasked with selecting two candidates for a single KPK leadership position, which eventually went to current KPK chairman Busyro Muqoddas.

This year, the selection committee will select ten candidates to replace the incumbent KPK chairman and four deputy chairmen.

Todung Mulya Lubis, the prominent anti-corruption activist who was also a member of the selection committee last year, shared Patrialis’ optimism.

“The current low number of registrations can not be used as an indicator that fewer people are interested in joining the KPK, or, in general, in the fight against corruption,” he told The Jakarta Post.

Todung said many academics and anti-graft activists would apply. “There are only two basic requirements for KPK leaders: integrity and courage. Many Indonesians meet those criteria,” he said.

Courage was essential, Todung said, especially when it came to vigorous counterattacks against the KPK and political attempts to intervene in the legal processes.

The selection team will announce all eligible candidates after the administrative screening is complete. The committee will also conduct background checks and seek public input.