Indonesian Stars Support Fight Against Corruption and Graft
Stars support graft fight
The Jakarta Post
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Wednesday received additional backing for its anti-corruption campaign from TV personalities.
A delegation from the Indonesian TV Drama Actors Association (PARSI) came to KPK office on Jl. HR Rasuna Said, South Jakarta, to back the fight against corruption.
“The KPK has been doing an astonishing job against corruption. We fully support their efforts,” said PARSI chairman and veteran actor Anwar Fuady.
On behalf of Indonesian actors, Anwar said he expected the KPK to intensify its anti-corruption campaign.
The delegation of eight celebrities - including dangdut singer Inul Daratista, who is known for her gyrating dancing, and sinetron (TV drama) players Ririn Dwi Arianti, Gusti Randa and Asti Anantawere welcomed by KPK chief Antasari Ashar and deputy chairman Chandra Hamzah.
Antasari said the anti-graft body was thankful for the support and expected the celebrities to help the KPK spread the anti-corruption message across the archipelago.
“We hope that celebrities, as public figures, will help project our campaign against corruption to people all over the country,” he said.
The celebrities’ visit Wednesday afternoon transformed the KPK office into a hive of anti-corruption gossip with dozens of infotainment reporters at the event.
“There are a lot of beautiful faces here today. This doesn’t happen every day,” said a security officer at the KPK office.
The KPK continues to gain popularity in the public eye with its extensive investigations into corruption cases involving members of the House of Representatives and officials of regional administrations.
One of the cases involves lawmaker Al Amin Nasution of the United Development Party (PPP) in an alleged bribery case over the conversion of protected forest into an office complex in Bintan.
Last month, Slank visited the KPK building and performed several songs taken from their Slank Antikorupsi CD. However, one of their songs, “Gosip Jalanan” (Street Gossip), had some lawmakers reaching for their lawsuits and they threatened to sue the band for defamation. The lawmakers dropped the idea after Al Amin was arrested by the KPK.
The popularity of the KPK has created a rumor that Antasari might run for vice president in the 2009.
