Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - East Nusa Tenggara province still has many indications of corruption, according to deputy chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Alexander Marwata.

"East Nusa Tenggara province is in third place from the bottom in the assessment of the Monitoring Center Prevention (MCP) score and the Integrity Assessment Survey (SPI) in 2021. East Nusa Tenggara province still has many indications of corrupt practices," he said in Kupang on Wednesday.

He delivered the statement during a talk show entitled “The Role of Auditors in an Integrated Corruption Eradication Strategy" in East Nusa Tenggara.

He said that the commission's duty is to eradicate corruption, however, the monitoring aspect is the auditors' task. Thus, efforts to eradicate corruption must be conducted in collaboration in order for them to be more effective.

He said that the eradication of corruption would be more effective through prevention--wherein corruption is thwarted before it takes place.

"If there has been a criminal act of corruption, such as the incident in Sumba where the village head was corrupt, how much would it cost to process it in the capital court?" he asked.

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The commission also called for making the role of auditors, such as the State Audit Board (BPK), the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP), and the Provincial Government Inspectorate, more optimal for eradicating corruption.

The supervisory function of auditors is considered very important at moments or situations where the risk of corruption is higher, so as to minimize the cost of prosecuting cases.

Marwata opined that punishment in court should be the last resort (ultimum remedium) for the corrupt to ensure a deterrent effect.

Prior to the use of this last resort, law enforcement personnel must prevent corruption, so that people do not commit such acts, he added.

"The goal of eradicating corruption is the community's welfare. We expect that the synergy between our friends from the Corruption Eradication Commission, Financial and Development Supervisory Agency, Indonesian Audit Board, and the Inspectorate will prevent corruption together in the regional scope with the public," he added.

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Translator: Kornelis Kaha, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Suharto
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