Leaders Who Never Learn
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After being questioned for 10 hours by investigators of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), the KPK detained House of Representatives (DPR) deputy speaker Taufik Kurniawan on Friday evening (11/2/18) in Jakarta. Taufik is suspected of accepting a gift or gratuities in connection with the special budget allocation (DAK) for Kebumen regency in the revised 2016 state budget.
Allegations that a “budget mafia” exists within the House of Representatives first emerged more than 25 years ago. The House has always denied the allegation. However, there are strong indications that several House members are linked to this “mafia”.
The Great Dictionary of the Indonesian Language (KBBI) defines “mafia” as a secret organization that commits crime and illegal activities. Perhaps there is no organized group of criminals in the House. However, if we look at data from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), we find that it has arrested 205 lawmakers for corruption between 2004 and 2018. Lawmakers make up the largest percentage of the people the KPK has arrested for corruption.