e-KTP Corruption Scandal: Who Must be Blamed?

The KPK has named two suspects in the case: the Home Ministry's former director general for population and civil registration Irman and Sugiharto, a former managing director of population administrative information at the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration.

During its investigation, the antigraft body summoned 23 House members for questioning but only 15 of them fulfilled the summons. Four of them are former Commission II leaders, including Ganjar. The three others are Chairuman Harahap of the Golkar Party, Teguh Juwarno of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and Taufiq Effendi of the Democratic Party, who also once served as administrative and bureaucratic reform minister.  

Corruption involving large sums of money allegedly occurred during e-KTP procurement in the 2011-2012 fiscal year, TribunSolo.com earlier reported. The 5.9 trillion (US$ 442.31 million) project reportedly caused Rp 2.3 trillion in state losses.

The trial is much anticipated because the case involves large sums of money and implicates dozens of politicians. The project value was 5.9 trillion (US$442.31 million), but the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has indicated Rp 2.3 trillion in state losses.

Despite most of Indonesian citizens want to more know about the end of disguisting scandal who said as a high-profile trial on alleged corruption in the procurement of electronic identity cards (e-KTP) in 2011 and 2012, The Jakarta Corruption Court won't give permission for electronic media to cover this trial and electronic media will not be aired live on television. Defendants in the case include Irman, the former director general for population and civil registration at the Home Ministry, and Sugiharto, the former managing director at the same directorate general.

According to Jakarta Corruption Court spokesperson Yohanes Priana, a hearing that has been declared open for public means that the court invites the public to the courtroom, but that does not necessarily mean that the media can broadcast it live. "Some of the content [presented during hearings] is substantial for the trial and owned by the concerned parties in the particular case, and that [information] is normally not for the public," Yohanes said on Wednesday, as quoted by kompas.com. Yohanes said print and online reporters would still be able to cover from inside the courtroom.

At other places, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo has denied accusations about his alleged involvement in a graft case related to electronic identity card (e-KTP) procurement for the fiscal year of 2011-2012. He refuted claims that he received bribes when serving as deputy speaker of the House of Representatives' Commission II, which oversees regional affairs. It was during this time that other related instances of bribery allegedly occurred.
 
"I have explained [to the Corruption Eradication Commission] that it's not true [that I received bribes]. I'm ready if they want to confront me about the matter," said the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician said as quoted by tribunnews.com on Tuesday. Apart from Ganjar, House Speaker and Golkar Party chairman Setya Novanto, was also reportedly involved in the case.

Meanwhile, House of Representatives Speaker Setya Novanto has again denied allegations that he was involved in a graft case related to an electronic identity card (e-KTP) procurement project. "I swear, I never had any discussion about e-KTPs. I don't know why my name was mentioned in the case," Setya said in an official statement on Tuesday.

He was responding to a recent statement by former Democratic Party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin, who claimed that many high-level officials were involved in the graft case. He mentioned Setya, who is also the Golkar Party chairman, and former finance minister Agus Martowardojo.

Setya, instead, blamed Nazaruddin, saying he might be under pressure because of problems with the Democratic Party. "Maybe Nazaruddin has problems with his party, so he is trying to drag everyone into the case. I told the Corruption Eradication Commission [KPK] I neither gave nor received any money [in relation to the procurement project," Setya said. Setya is one of several key witnesses the KPK has questioned in its investigation into case, which resulted in Rp 2 trillion (US$ 149 million) in state losses. The KPK has questioned Setya twice. Setya was the chairman of the Golkar Party faction at the House for the 2009-2014 period when the case occurred.

Does high rank politician involved?

However, The Jakarta Corruption Court has announced that no live TV coverage of hearings would be allowed, eventhough print and online reporters would still be able to cover from inside the courtroom. This decision will be protested by Indonesian Journalist Association (PWI).

Print and online media have a limit area coverage and their outcome coverage doesn't image a full imagination during a e-KTP corruption scandal trial process.
 
I think a big scandal such as e-KTP corruption must be aired on television. Its good for public political education and literacy among corruption prevention. If the e-KTP trial will be aired on television, every people can see the face of defendants and their motive to break people trust to them to manage people money with honest, prudential and high control.

For some famous politician who allegedly involved in this case, people can be judged they won't choose them and their political party or former political party at legislative and presidential election in 2019.

People may be think because many of high rank and famous politician, legislative and executive important person has allegedly involved in this case, so the trial process on this case mustn't air on television.
 
Finally and essentially, this case is a strategic cases which must be solved by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and The Jakarta Corruption Court. The questions is KPK and The Jakarta Corruption Court have a strong guts to sentenced defendants with a maximum sentences such as a death penalty? I think they don't have enough brave heart to do that.

*) The writer is Center of Risk Strategic Intelligence Assessment (Cersia)'s researcher. Lives in South Jakarta.