Analysis: National Police Takes Up the Challenge of Corruption - Academia

The recent establishment of the National Police’s Corruption Eradication Corps (Kortas) by then-President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, a few days before he resigned on October 20, has sparked debate over its potential to counter the anti-graft campaign of to reshape the country.

With the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) facing declining public trust and accusations of political interference, this new anti-corruption unit within the National Police could signal a shift in the balance of power in the fight against corruption. As the KPK’s credibility declines, concerns are emerging over whether the police ‘graft busters’ unit will strengthen efforts to combat deep-rooted corruption or complicate anti-corruption law enforcement, which is also being carried out by the KPK and the Public Prosecution Service (AGO).

The formation of Kortas was made official on October 15 through Presidential Regulation No. 122/2024 on the Organizational Structure and Working Procedures of the National Police. Kortas is a development of the Corruption Crimes Directorate (Dittipidkor), which previously fell under the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police (Bareskrim). According to Article 20A(1) of the Presidential Regulation, Kortas will no longer fall under Bareskrim, but will operate as a separate entity accountable to the Chief of the National Police.

The new force is also charged with prevention efforts, investigating and prosecuting cases of corruption and money laundering, and tracing and recovering assets linked to corruption. It will be led by a two-star general and assisted by a deputy with the rank of one-star general.

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo said the new force will consist of up to three directorates focusing on prevention, investigation and prosecution, and cooperation. Listyo unveiled the idea to form the new unit after recruiting 44 former KPK associates as officials in the National Police in early 2022, including prominent researcher Novel Baswedan.

A spokesperson for the National Police, Insp. General Sandi Nugroho said that as part of the new unit formation, the police are harmonizing with relevant ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform and the Ministry of Finance before defining the working mechanism of the new force.

The Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) welcomed the establishment of the Kortas, saying it will significantly strengthen the fight against corruption.3 MAKI added that the prospects for fighting corruption should improve thanks to the collective efforts of various law enforcement agencies . However, the KPK still needs reinforcement for a unified approach to combating corruption.

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