October 1, 2024
JAKARTA – All eyes are still on Kaesang Pangarep, the youngest son of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who became embroiled in a controversy over his use of a private jet for a recent trip to the United States. The controversy has only increased since Kaesang provided clarification over the matter to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Sept. 17.
However, the antigraft body’s seemingly half-hearted review and reluctance to pursue the issue have reignited skepticism about its independence and credibility. As public pressure mounts, so do demands that the KPK ensure transparency and accountability in handling what could become a high-profile case.
Kaesang, who chairs the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), said he hitched a ride on a private jet belonging to “a friend” to travel to the US, along with his wife Erina Gudono and the jet’s owner.
He has also argued that since he is not a state official, he is not required to make any formal disclosures related to a private trip. He reiterated this stance to the KPK, saying that he was acting as a law-abiding citizen and not a state official.
KPK prevention and monitoring deputy Pahala Nainggolan revealed that during their meeting, Kaesang submitted a gratuity report that included a detailed itinerary of his US trip as well as travel expenses, estimated at Rp 90 million [US$5,930] for each of the four passengers who traveled on the private jet: Kaesang, Erina, his sister-in-law and an aide.
Pahala said his team would be analyzing both Kaesang’s report and statement to determine whether the trip was an unlawful gift. If it does, Kaesang must pay the state Rp 360 million in compensation for accepting the gratuity.
While Kaesang’s visit to the KPK seemed to be an effort at damage control, the public deemed this was not enough, and calls have subsequently increased for the commission to thoroughly investigate the gratuity allegation against Kaesang.
A criminal law expert says the KPK can take action against Kaesang using Law No. 28/1999 on clean and corruption-free state officials, which stipulates that family members of a state official can act as intermediaries in receiving gratuities.
The expert also pointed to the KPK’s past actions in moving quickly to investigate former customs officer Andhi Pramono and former tax official Rafael Alun Trisambodo, after their family members were caught flaunting their wealth on social media.
The KPK uncovered elements of corruption in Andhi and Rafael’s cases, but it looks unlikely to treat Kaesang in the same way, at least for now. This could change when Jokowi leaves office on Oct. 20, however.
The IM57+ Institute said clarification was one of the stages in a gratuity review, and that the KPK should investigate the motive behind the private jet’s provision to Kaesang for his US trip.
The antigraft watchdog also questioned Pahala’s statement, which appeared to support Kaesang’s reported per person fee for the private jet, which was cheaper than a business class seat on a commercial flight. The law expert was of the same view, saying that whoever provided the private jet could be charged under Article 13 of Law No. 20/2001 on corruption eradication for giving an unlawful gratuity.
The Indonesian Anticorruption Community (MAKI) is one of two groups that reported Kaesang’s trip to the KPK, alleging that the private jet was connected to a collaboration between PT Shopee International Indonesia and vice president-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Kaesang’s brother. MAKI supported its report with a copy of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Shopee and the Surakarta administration on the establishment of a Shopee office and gaming center on land owned by the municipality, which was then led by Gibran.
Connecting these dots, Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) opined that the KPK had sufficient grounds to pursue a wider investigation into the first family through Kaesang’s alleged gratuity. This is especially pertinent, given that the public has filed a separate report with the KPK on gratuity allegations involving the use of a private jet by Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution, the President’s son-in-law.
What we’ve heard
A source familiar with the case investigation stated that the KPK leaders are divided in their approach to the Kaesang case.
According to him, all the five KPK leaders had regrouped to discuss the development of this case. The interim KPK chairman, Nawawi Pomolango, however, questioned the presence of deputy chairs Nurul Ghufron and Johanis Tanak, who he considered having a conflict of interest as they were undergoing selection for KPK leadership for 2024-2029 at that time.
Ghufron and Tanak are known to oppose the KPK move to investigate into Kaesang’s for allegedly accepting gratuity in his flight on the private jet.
On the other hand, Nawawi and Alexander Marwata are inclined to pushing for a formal investigation into the case.
In the stalemate, Deputy for Prevention and Monitoring Pahala Nainggolan was asked for opinions that would break the tie. It turned out Pahala, who is also running for KPK post, supports Ghufron and Tanak.