Jakarta. Indonesia has arrested more high-profile corruption convicts than any other nation globally, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said as he commemorated International Anti-Corruption Day on Tuesday.

The Southeast Asian nation has enacted laws that categorize corruption as an “extraordinary crime” due to its detrimental impact on economic development. These laws introduced severe penalties including life imprisonment and, under certain circumstances, the death sentence for those found guilty of graft.

In the early 2000s, Indonesia initiated the formulation of an independent anti-corruption agency empowered to investigate corruption cases, detain suspects, and prosecute them with a dedicated state budget. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) commenced its operations in 2004.

Addressing the audience at the Istora Senayan Sports Stadium in Jakarta, President Jokowi disclosed that from 2004 to 2022, the national anti-corruption efforts resulted in the arrest of 344 members from national and local parliaments, 38 ministers and heads of state agencies, 24 governors, 162 regents and mayors, 31 judges, eight high-ranking election officials, 415 suspects from businesses, and 363 suspects from the bureaucracy.

"The number of officials arrested and imprisoned is substantial. No other nation has detained and prosecuted more corruption suspects than Indonesia," the president said.

"Challenge me if there is a country that has imprisoned more graft convicts than Indonesia. Despite numerous officials convicted of corruption, has corruption diminished or slowed down in our country? In reality, we are still confronting numerous corruption cases today," he added.

Moreover, recent cases indicate that corrupt officials have adapted by utilizing new technology and forming transnational alliances to conceal their illegal activities, President Jokowi pointed out.

He suggested the implementation of technology to prevent corruption, such as electronic procurement and state licensing systems. These systems would ensure transparency and fairness in government budget transactions and eliminate clandestine, deceitful deals.

“We must bolster our prevention mechanisms by enhancing the skills of our workforce, including law enforcement officials," Jokowi said.