As KPK duties would be more challenging in the future, I instruct all KPK officials to not hesitate in taking firm and legal actions against perpetrators of corruption crimes, including by (organizing) arrest operations
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Head Firli Bahuri urged agency officials to not hesitate in taking action against those committing corruption crimes, including proceeding with arrest operations if necessary.

"As KPK duties would be more challenging in the future, I instruct all KPK officials to not hesitate in taking firm and legal actions against perpetrators of corruption crimes, including by (organizing) arrest operations," Bahuri stated at the KPK office here, Tuesday.

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He emphasized that the agency would not be swayed by any external power or influence to execute its duties according to Law No.19 of 2019 on the KPK.

"KPK is a national institution on the executive branch that will not be influenced by any external power while conducting its tasks and authorities, and KPK will not bow to anyone," the KPK head affirmed.

Meanwhile, Bahuri said that the anti-corruption agency has been successful in conducting inquiries into 1,507 cases, investigations into 1,350 cases, and prosecution into 1,035 corruption cases throughout the agency's 20 active years.

Moreover, the KPK has been successful in recovering a total of Rp3.32 trillion (US$212.4 million) assets from losses incurred by the state in corruption crimes, he added.

Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan appealed to the anti-corruption agency to reduce arrest operations and revamp corruption prevention strategies.

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During the launch of the 2023-2024 Corruption Prevention Action on Tuesday (December 20), Pandjaitan said that arrest operations will tarnish Indonesia's image.

The coordinating minister emphasized the need to prioritize prevention aspects in corruption eradication missions by pursuing digitization in all sectors, such as in the government budgeting and spending planning processes.

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Translator: Benardy F, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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