KPK waits for wealth reports Jokowi’s ministers

JAKARTA. While none of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s new ministers have yet delivered asset reports to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Suswono, one of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s 34 ex-ministers, took the initiative on Thursday to report his wealth to the antigraft body.

Ministers are required to report their wealth to the KPK soon after assuming as well as finishing their ministerial roles in a move to support the country’s efforts to eradicate corruption.

Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician Suswono, who has been implicated in a number of graft cases handled by the KPK, claimed to have an increased amount of wealth since he last reported to the antigraft body in 2011.

“Of course the amount has increased because I received a salary during my term in office, but I cannot disclose the amount now. I will let the KPK publish it later. The point is I have already done my duty as a citizen by reporting my wealth to the KPK,” Suswono said at the KPK headquarters on Thursday.

According to KPK data, Suswono, in his wealth report submitted in 2011, had a total wealth of Rp 2.3 billion and US$32,000, while back in 2008, he reported wealth of Rp 1.4 billion and $4,500.

The KPK confirmed that Suswono was the first of Yudhoyono’s ministers to have reported their wealth since the Oct. 20 transition from the administration of Yudhoyono to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who inaugurated his 34 ministers at the State Palace on Monday.

KPK prevention unit deputy Johan Budi said that none of Jokowi’s ministers had so far reported their wealth to the antigraft body.

“We have not received any wealth reports from them [Jokowi’s ministers] as of today,” Johan said on Thursday, adding that the antigraft body was ready to assist Jokowi’s ministers should they face any difficulties in submitting their wealth reports.

Suswono defended Jokowi’s ministers, saying that based on his experience as a minister, it took a while for new ministers to report their wealth because they had to deal with many things right after being sworn into office.

“It will take a while for them to submit their wealth reports,” Suswono said as he left the KPK office.

KPK deputy chairman Zulkarnain added that all state officials were required to submit their wealth reports to the antigraft body within two months of officially starting work as state officials.

“By reporting their wealth to the antigraft body, they help the country’s corruption eradication efforts,” Zulkarnain said.

He further said that it was important for state officials to be briefed on good governance in order for them to become familiar with all forms of graft and how to avoid them.

According to KPK spokesperson Priharsa Nugraha, the mechanism for reporting wealth to the antigraft body is relatively simple.

“They can download Form A for first-timers and Form B for those who have done it in the past from the KPK’s website, or ask for the forms [at the KPK office],” he said.

Some of Jokowi’s 34 ministers are state officials whose wealth has been recorded by the antigraft body in previous years.

As many as 20 of them had reported their wealth to the KPK for numerous years prior to joining Jokowi’s Cabinet. (Haeril Halim)