By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA — Indonesia’s anti-graft agency, Corruption Eradication Commission, KPK, has arrested and convicted hundreds of ‘untouchable’ elites, including ministers, governors, lawmakers and judges, the Indonesian Ambassador’s representative, Mrs Tuty Dityawanty, said Monday.
The disclosure came as Nigeria’s anti-corruption authorities sought lessons from Indonesia’s experience in tackling graft, with the emphasis on what could work in Nigeria rather than simply what worked elsewhere.
“KPK achieved success in prosecuting high-profile officials. It arrested and convicted hundreds of untouchable elites, including ministers, governors, lawmakers, and judges,” she said.
Dityawanty, who spoke at the Second International Diplomatic Dialogue organised by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria, ACAN, at the headquarters of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, in Abuja, said KPK’s approach combined prosecution with prevention, government monitoring and coordination with other institutions.
She, however, acknowledged that corruption remained a challenge in Indonesia, particularly bribery in public services and business licensing.
“The KPK has won public trust, not just because it has put behind bars hundreds who have abused their powerful positions and who previously were considered untouchable, but also because it has undoubtedly portrayed a vision of an Indonesia where things can get done without corruption,” she added.
For ACAN Provost, Prof. Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, Indonesia’s experience offers a wider lesson for developing countries, particularly Africa.
“You will not be wrong if you assert that the beginning of the fight against corruption in Africa and the entire developing countries started from Indonesia,” he said.
Ibrahim said Indonesia’s current anti-corruption strategy, Stranas PK, combines preventive education, asset disclosure and criminal prosecution, with KPK at its centre.
Representing the ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, the Commission’s Secretary, Mr Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu, said Nigeria could draw useful lessons from Indonesia and adapt them to its own realities.
“As Nigeria continues to deepen its anti-corruption efforts, there is much value in learning from comparative experiences, understanding best practices, and identifying innovative approaches that can be adapted to our local realities,” Oparaodu said.
He said the dialogue should go beyond the exchange of ideas and produce practical measures capable of strengthening institutions, restoring public trust and improving Nigeria’s fight against corruption.
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