No proof of Jokowi's corruption, this is the OCCRP's explanation

Komparatif.ID, Jakarta The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has just named former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as its Person of the Year.

However, the nomination process and selection of the winner received great attention, especially due to the entry of the former Indonesian president. Joko Widodo (Jokowi) as one of the finalists.

Bashar won the award because he was considered the most corrupt individual and for having contributed greatly to organized crime, as well as the destruction of democracy and human rights.

In an official statement, OCCRP explained that this award was awarded by a jury composed of experts in the fields of civil society, academia and journalism with extensive experience in investigating corruption and crime. .

More than 55,000 applications were received from around the world, ranging from well-known to lesser-known political figures. OCCRP itself has no control over candidates because the nomination process is open.

OCCRP has no control over who is nominated, as suggestions come from people around the world. This includes the candidacy of former Indonesian President Joko Widodo, OCCRP wrote via the official website consulted. Komparatif.IDSaturday (01/04/2024),

The OCCRP stressed that it had no evidence to suggest that Jokowi was personally involved in corruption for financial gain during his term. However, the former Indonesian president's inclusion among the finalists was based on significant online support.

Read also:Jokowi is a finalist for the OCCRP version of the most corrupt character

OCCRP has no evidence that Jokowi engaged in corrupt acts for personal financial gain during his term in office. However, civil society groups and experts say Jokowi's administration has significantly weakened Indonesia's anti-corruption commission.

OCCRP said that, based on research by civil society groups and experts, under Jokowi's administration, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) was considered to have been significantly weakened.

Jokowi has also been criticized for his alleged attempts to undermine the general electoral institutions (KPU and Bawaslu) and the judiciary (MK) in order to support his son Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is now vice president.

Jokowi has also been widely criticized for undermining Indonesia's electoral institutions and justice system to benefit the political ambitions of his son, who is now vice president under new President Prabowo Subianto.

According to OCCRP editor Drew Sullivan, the panel reviewed nominations submitted by the public, but some names lacked direct evidence of a significant pattern of misconduct.

Sullivan added that the awards are designed to highlight systems and actors that enable organized crime and corruption, while also serving as a warning to nominees.

Jurors value citizen nominations, but in some cases there isn't enough direct evidence of significant corruption or long-standing wrongdoing, he said.

Sullivan explained that the final decision was made based on extensive research and the collective expertise of the OCCRP network.

In 2024, Bashar al-Assad was chosen as the winner due to his role in destabilizing Syria and the surrounding region through criminal networks, gross human rights violations including mass murder, and systemic corruption.

Although Assad was not among the most supported candidates, his horrific record made him the judges' top choice.

OCCRP pointed out that this price is often misunderstood or used by certain parties to support political agendas. Sullivan emphasized that the main objective of this award is to recognize individuals or entities that play a role in promoting crime and corruption.