"We must prevent every external attempt to impair bodies such as the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Anti-Corruption Court, the Report and Financial Transaction Analysis Center and the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK)," the president said.
Yudhoyono said the eradication of corruption in the country must prioritize the principle of accountability, transparency and avoid discrimination.
The president said Indonesia had shown progress in implementing its goals of eradicating corruption during the past years. He said Transparency International last 2010 gave Indonesia a 2.8 points of Corruption Perception Index, higher compared to the 2004`s 2.0.
"Though Indonesia was first among ASEAN countries in terms of corruption eradication, we still need to work harder in improving our score in the future including improvement in anti-corruption regulations," he said.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has so far sent 40 legislators and eight cabinet ministers to jail for their involvement in corruption cases.
Some of them came from the previous government while others from the current government, KPK deputy M Jasin said.
He said two more legislators meanwhile had been sentenced but their legal process was still ongoing due to their appeal.
He said two others meanwhile had been named suspects and their cases were still under KPK investigation, namely M Nazaruddin and Amru Daulai from the Democratic Party.
Jasin said among the state officials who had been sentenced to jail included a central bank governor and four deputy governors.
Other officials included six general election commissioners, a judicial commission member and business competition supervisory commission member and several ambassadors, including a former national police chief.
He said KPK had also sent to jail two consulate general officials, four senior judges, four public prosecutors, two lawyers and 50 echelon I and II officials.
Regional leaders already jailed by KPK include 26 district heads/city mayors, 30 regional legislative assembly members and 40 businessmen including national and regional state-owned company chiefs and a senior investigator.
Jasin said all the officials whose cases were handled by the KPK were eventually proven guilty.
(T.A051/H-NG//F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
