Strengthening the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Realizes the Astacita Program to Eradicate Corruption
By: Hervian Hadi)*
Eradicating corruption is one of the main priorities in the Eight Cita (Asta Cita) of national development initiated by President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. In the context of clean and integrated Indonesian development, strengthening the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is a very important strategic step. This reflects the government’s strong commitment to building a clean, transparent, and responsible governance system.
Asta Cita explicitly places corruption eradication as a core part of the mission to strengthen legal and bureaucratic reform. Therefore, efforts to strengthen the KPK are not only interpreted as additional authority, but also as an effort to perfect the national integrity ecosystem. The government under President Prabowo’s leadership firmly encourages increased human resource capacity, optimal budget support, and maintaining the institutional independence of the KPK so that it can carry out its functions optimally and sustainably.
The government’s steps to strengthen the KPK have been evident in recent years, starting from improving the system for reporting state officials’ wealth, developing a digital application for reporting gratification, to digitizing public complaint services. All of this is a manifestation of the government’s hard work to ensure that the KPK remains relevant and effective in carrying out its duties.
However, along the way, challenges remain. Political intervention and pressure from interest groups have been obstacles, but the government has not remained silent. In fact, these challenges have been used as motivation to strengthen synergy between institutions and emphasize political and legal support for the KPK. With this step, the government shows that its commitment to eradicating corruption is absolute and non-negotiable.
Amidst these challenges, community involvement is a very crucial factor. The government actively encourages public participation as the front line in monitoring and reporting corruption. Anti-corruption culture continues to be instilled through early education, involvement of civil society organizations, and protection of whistleblowers. All of this indicates that the government has a holistic approach in eradicating corruption, from upstream to downstream.
The Asta Cita program also emphasizes the importance of preventing corruption as the main foundation. Within this framework, the KPK, together with the central and regional governments, implement various initiatives such as the Monitoring Center for Prevention (MCP) program which encourages transparency and accountability in regional budget management. Through the MCP, regional governments are encouraged to utilize digital technology in the financial system, licensing, and procurement of goods and services. This is real evidence that the government is implementing a modern and efficient corruption eradication program.
Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Committee, Johanis Tanak, with full commitment conveyed that eradicating corruption is not enough just by improving regulations or adjusting officials’ salaries. According to him, “Integrity of heart and mind is the main key”. The government fully supports this statement by continuing to encourage the development of a culture of honesty and public ethics in the government system. The government believes that with the spirit of integrity, every anti-corruption policy will produce maximum results.
Director of Coordination and Supervision of Region I of the Corruption Eradication Committee, Agung Yudha Wibowo also said that bureaucratic reform must go hand in hand with strengthening the Corruption Eradication Committee. “The rampant practice of bribery must be addressed with an incentive system, strict punishment, and digitalization of governance,” he said. The government quickly followed up on this by implementing a meritocracy and digital governance system in various sectors. This step shows that the government is serious about creating a clean bureaucracy that is oriented towards public service.
No less important, KPK Spokesperson Tessa Mahardhika Sugiarto highlighted the importance of support from the mass media and civil society. She said that investigative reporting and public discussion forums are vital tools in keeping the anti-corruption spirit alive. The government welcomes the role of the media and civil society because the more space for transparency, the smaller the opportunity for corruption to develop.
Strengthening the KPK cannot be separated from the government’s grand vision to build a healthy democracy and sustainable development. The government is committed to making eradicating corruption the main foundation in increasing public trust, expanding investment, and strengthening public services. The government realizes that with a clean and efficient bureaucracy, all development sectors will be pushed forward rapidly.
With the spirit of Asta Cita, the government ensures that eradicating corruption is not just a discourse, but a real movement based on the spirit of nationalism and responsibility for the future of the nation. The KPK is a strategic partner of the government in maintaining the integrity of the country, and its strengthening is proof that the government is serious about realizing a Golden Indonesia that is free from corruption.
Furthermore, strengthening the KPK is also part of Indonesia’s legal diplomacy at the international level. The government is trying to increase cooperation with anti-corruption institutions of other countries and international organizations such as UNODC and Interpol in handling cross-border corruption cases, including money laundering and asset recovery. This effort shows that Indonesia is not only serious about fixing its internal affairs, but is also active in building a global reputation as a country that is firm against corruption. Strengthening the KPK within the framework of this global cooperation is a reflection of Indonesia’s commitment towards clean, modern, and trustworthy governance.
)* The author is a student who lives in Lampung
