Jakarta, Indonesia: Indonesian President, Mr. Joko Widodo, has suspended Mr. Firli Bahuri, the chief of the country’s anti-graft agency, following an accusation of extortion.
The decision came after police this week named Mr. Bahuri as a suspect accused of extorting money from former Agriculture Minister, Mr. Syahrul Yasin Limpo, who was detained in a corruption case last month.
Mr. Ari Dwipayana, the co-ordinator of the President’s special staff, stated that, “President, Mr. Widodo has signed a presidential decree on the suspension of Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chief, Mr. Bahuri.”
Mr. Dwipayana stated that Mr. Widodo’s letter, signed on the last day, is effective immediately and releases Mr. Bahuri from all responsibilities and authority until he is fully discharged once his status changes to the defendant. According to reports, Mr. Nawawi Pamolango, a deputy, was named as interim chief.
Mr. Bahuri, a former Inspector General of police, is the most recent member of Mr. Widodo’s government to be accused of bribery.
Police remarked that the authorities had seized foreign currency transaction documents from Singapore and $480,000 worth in two raids relating to the case against him.
Mr. Bahuri was appointed in 2019 at a time when the agency, formally known as the Corruption Eradication Commission, was weakened by changes to the law governing it. This led to a wave of protests intended to save the body.
The KPK was established in 2003 during Mr. Megawati’s presidency due to high corruption in the Post-Suharto era. It has been instrumental in prosecuting numerous government officials for stealing state funds.
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