KPK Launches Honest Campaign wits Puteri Indonesia

Jakarta (Antara) - Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) launched the "Choose the Honest" campaign for the Integrity 2014 Election in collaboration with 2014 Puteri Indonesia (Indonesian beauty pageant winner) Elvira Devinamira. "Involving the Puteri Indonesia is an effort to reach a wider segment and spread values, namely the universal value of honesty, and the anti-corruption spirit," chairman of the KPK, Abraham Samad, said here on Thursday. Abraham said the honest campaign was needed to raise citizens' participation in the election. It also is important to educate the people to exercise their voting rights honestly and elect honest candidates for an effective parliament. According to him, the iconic Puteri Indonesia, who is a symbol of intelligence and beauty, also complements integrity and commitment to prevent and eradicate corruption and as such could be an anti-corruption ambassador. "This campaign will be launched in all media, such as social media, mass media and outdoor media, with various forms of activities, including social campaigns, discussions and public lecturers," he said. Abraham pointed out that 2014 Legislative Election is an important moment for the democracy of Indonesia. "During the election, people of Indonesia will decide the fate of 200 thousand candidates who will compete for the 19 thousand positions in the legislative institutions, both local and central," he noted. Abraham said public participation in the two last elections has decreased. In the 2004 Election, participation was 84 percent and in the 2009 elections it was 70.9 percent. One factor that caused the decline in public participation was several corruption cases involving a local or central legislator. "KPK recorded that 73 legislators were involved in corruption cases from 2007 until 2013. More than 90 percent of them is an incumbent in the 2014 Election," he pointed out. (*) Reporting by Anom Prihantoro.