NU: No use fighting corruption through political forum

Jakarta, NU Online
General chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Hasyim Muzadi said efforts to eradicate corruption through a political forum will not work, nor will the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) be equal to its mission.

He made the statement when receiving a group of legislators from different parties who had spearheaded the formation of the House Bank Century Inquiry Committee a few months ago and become known as the "Team of Nine."<>

At the meeting at the NU headquarters here Friday, Hasyim apparently referred to the House Inquiry Committee, when he said a political forum would not produce an effective way to fight corruption because the forum`s participants` aim was "not to find the truth but to practice the art of securing one`s own best interests within the limits of certain possibilities."

"Therefore, it is no wonder that a politician`s opinion is often determined by what he or she expects to gain," he said as quoted by Antara.

Hasyim said corruption could only be rooted out through a massive, all-inclusive movement led by the head of state and a program implemented in stages.

He said the existing Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) would not be able to accomplish its mission because it was "too small" for the task considering that corruption had become so rampant and deeply rooted. "What the KPK can do is comparable to what one can achieve with a razor in cutting a forest," he said.

Moreover, Haysim added, the KPK was likely to have to face all sorts of pressures from quarters who feared it because of its extraordinary powers.

Referring specifically to the Bank Century case being handled by the House Inquiry Committee, Hasyim who was to go on a minor hajj pilgrimage soon, said he would pray for a speedy settlement of the case in which the truth prevailed.

The parliamentarians received by Hasyim were Maruarar Sirait (PDIP), Bambang Susetyo (Golkar), Kurdi Mukri (PPP), Andi Rahmat (PKS), Chandra Tirta Wijaya (PAN), Akbar Faishal (Hanura), and Lily Wahid (PKB). (mkf)