IJI.RED – TANGERANG — Public policy and environmental affairs observer Saipul Bahri has publicly questioned the commitment of both the Indonesian Government and the House of Representatives (DPR RI) to strengthen the country’s anti-corruption framework, arguing that law enforcement alone cannot dismantle systemic corruption without meaningful preventive reforms.26 juli 2026
According to Saipul Bahri, Indonesia has witnessed an increasing number of corruption investigations and prosecutions in recent years. While these enforcement efforts demonstrate the state’s determination to punish offenders, they do not automatically eliminate the structural weaknesses that allow corruption to flourish.
«”The public deserves a clear answer. How far have the Government and the DPR gone in strengthening corruption prevention? Arresting corrupt officials is essential, but building a legal system that closes opportunities for corruption is equally important,” Saipul Bahri said.»
He pointed to the long-delayed Bill on Limiting Cash Transactions (RUU Pembatasan Transaksi Uang Kartal/PTUK) as an example of a preventive measure that has yet to be enacted after years of discussion.
According to him, anti-corruption policy should not rely solely on prosecution. A comprehensive strategy requires stronger financial transparency, improved oversight, and legislation capable of reducing opportunities for illicit cash transactions linked to corruption, money laundering, and other financial crimes.
Saipul Bahri stressed that the public expects greater transparency regarding the progress of strategic legislation that has been discussed for years but remains unresolved.
“The Indonesian people are not merely asking how many people have been arrested. They are asking what concrete steps are being taken to prevent future corruption from occurring in the first place,” he added.
He further emphasized that under Indonesia’s constitutional framework, the enactment of legislation requires cooperation between the executive branch and the House of Representatives. For that reason, public accountability should include clear communication regarding the status, priorities, and legislative timetable of important anti-corruption bills.
Saipul Bahri concluded that effective anti-corruption reform must combine firm law enforcement with strong preventive institutions, arguing that sustainable progress depends not only on prosecuting offenders but also on closing the legal and institutional loopholes that enable corruption to persist.
As public expectations continue to rise, many Indonesians are now looking for tangible progress from both the Government and the DPR RI in translating anti-corruption commitments into concrete legislative action.
Red David
