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When State Loss is Considered 'Not Corruption'

22 October 2026, 10:06 WIB

Suprianto Haseng,

Tim Kompas.com

Tim Redaksi

This article was translated by AI. Read the original article on Kompas.com. See Original

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Petugas KPK menunjukkan barang bukti berupa uang tunai saat konferensi pers terkait operasi tangkap tangan (OTT) kasus dugaan korupsi pengurusan hak guna bangunan (HGB) Summarecon di Gedung Merah Putih KPK, Jakarta, Selasa (15/9/2026). Dalam OTT tersebut, KPK menyita uang tunai Rp106,3 miliar dan mengamankan delapan tersangka, yakni Kepala Kantor Pertanahan Kabupaten Bogor Sontang Coin Manurung, politikus Partai Golkar Fahd El Fouz alias Fahd A Rafiq, mantan Bupati Kebumen Arif Suglyanto, Presiden Direktur PT Summarecon Agung Tbk Adrianto Pitojo Adhi, Direktur Jenderal Pengendalian dan Penertiban Tanah dan Ruang Kementerian ATR/BPN Lampri, serta Muhammad Fakhry, Erwin, dan Rizal Pahlefi. ANTARA FOTO/Rivan Awal Lingga/tom.(Rivan Awal Lingga)

Writer Suprianto Haseng

Editor Tim Kompas.com

A striking idea has just been thrust into the public arena.

On October 20, 2026, the Chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN), Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, proposed a shocking measure that immediately sparked intense debate.

The definition of corruption should be limited solely to the act of bribery, while the aspect of state financial loss should be removed.

The unfortunate part is that this idea has reportedly been endorsed by President Prabowo Subianto. It presents a poignant paradox.

On one hand, the government cries out for budget efficiency, while on the other, it disarms the legal tools used to ensnare those who steal public funds.

Is this a rescue mission, or is it simply paving the way for covert thievery?

The rationale presented sounds all too familiar, aimed at aligning with international standards such as the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and to avoid