According to Kalla, corruption is bound to take place when people do not abide by the regulations while carrying out their duties.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian former vice president Jusuf Kalla has said the arrest of Upstream Oil and Gas Special Working Unit (SKK Migas) head Rudi Rubiandini by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will not solve the problem in the system.

"Anyone, regardless of their salary, may lapse into acts of corruption if they fail to refrain from abusing their authority," he stated, after the President`s state-of-the-nation address at the parliament building, on the eve of the August 17 commemoration of Indonesia's Independence Day.

According to Kalla, corruption is bound to take place when people do not abide by the regulations while carrying out their duties.

Currently the chairman of Indonesian Red Cross, he pointed out the similarity in the roles and functions of SKK Migas and Upstream Oil and Gas Industry Regulatory Body (BP Migas).

Therefore, Kalla continued, if SKK Migas were to be liquidated and replaced by another regulatory body, its performance would be similar to that of the previous organization if its personnel do not work effectively and honestly.

"I think the entire work culture must be changed, so employee performance can be improved. Otherwise, all that will ever change is names, from BP Migas to SKK Migas, and so on. Initially, the oil sector was managed by state-oil and gas firm Pertamina, which then became BP Migas, before it was turned into SKK Migas," he said.

"If we closely examine this case, we will know that corruption can only be prevented by the employees themselves. Only morals and regulations can stop them from engaging in corruption," he added.

Kalla also rejected claims that Rudy`s arrest had some link to the 2014 general elections.

Earlier, KPK spokesman Johan Budi said in a news conference that Rudi, former Deputy Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources who was appointed the head of SKK Migas some months ago, was caught red-handed receiving bribe money at his house in Jakarta.

Hailed as a "rising star" by lawmaker Sutan Bathoegana, Rudi was arrested with two men, believed to be officials of a US oil company Kernel Oil, with money totaling US$700,000.

Meanwhile, SKK Migas spokesman Elan Biantoro stated that SKK Migas dealt mainly with oil and gas contractors in the upstream sector had no business dealings with Kernel Oil.

Elan pointed out that the US company was an oil trader and not an oil operator or contractor.

After Rudi was arrested on Thursday morning, KPK discussed with Chief Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa and other related officials the potential losses caused by corruption in the oil and gas sector.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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