With a population of 240 million, 5.4 million civil servants and 5,000 police officers, KPK`s 750 personnel would not be enough to fight rampant corruption in the country, former chairman of Hong Kong`s anti corruption agency Bertrand de Speville saiJakarta (ANTARA News) - Former chairman of Hong Kong`s anti corruption agency Bertrand de Speville said Indonesia needs to invest more to turn out skilled personnel of the country`s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
With a population of 240 million, 5.4 million civil servants and 5,000 police officers, KPK`s 750 personnel would not be enough to fight rampant corruption in the country, Bertrand said here on Thursday.
"Even the building used by KPK at present is too small, the former chairman of Hong Kong`s Independent Commission Against Corruption said.
He gave a number of recommendations that could be included in the Law on KPK to make the agency more effective in fighting corruption.
He said wealth that could not be accounted for should be categorized as illicit wealth, therefore, considered as a result of corruption.
In addition the difference between gratification and graft should be made clear, he said, adding "now graft is often confused with gratification."
He also suggested that KPK should have representative offices in the region to be able to accommodate all reports of alleged corruption.
He acknowledged that it takes a long time to eradicate corruption, citing Hong Kong took 25 years to change its people`s attitude into rejecting corruption.
He said KPK will always be needed, adding no country has closed down its anti corruption agency after succeeding in fighting corruption.
Relaxation in the fight will give rise again to corruption, he said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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