Big shakedown expected at Law and Human Rights Ministry

Law and Human Rights Minister Patrialis Akbar said Monday there would be extensive demotions and dismissals within his ministry related to instructions issued by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on the handling of graft defendant Gayus Tambunan.

“The President’s instructions were appropriate. We have to enforce the law within in our ministry,” Patrialis said.

“There will be a large-scale shakedown to replace officers who have failed to perform,” Patrialis said.

The shakedown would take place within a week, he said.

“We replaced the chief of East Jakarta immigration office two days ago. Next week the reshuffle will continue,” he said.

The ministry also dismissed six immigration officers for their alleged involvement in the issuance of a falsified passport that was used by Gayus to travel to Singapore, Macau and Thailand when the latter was supposed to be behind bars.

Patrialis said revealed the instruction from Yudhoyono empowered him to clean up the ministry and immigration offices, which are notoriously corrupt.

“We do have 'mafia' at the Immigration Office. President has said so. We don’t need to conceal these facts. The President’s instructions gave me the authority to fix this,” he said.

On Monday, Yudhoyono issued 12 instructions to resolve various security breaches related to the Gayus case.

He also instructed Vice President Boediono to work with the Judicial Mafia Task Force to monitor how ministries and institutions follow the instructions.


(2011-1-18/thejakartapost)