Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesian President Jokowi has responded to his inclusion in the final list of nominees for the 2024 Corrupt “Person of the Year” title in the category of organized crime and corruption by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).
The OCCRP published its list of nominees on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, with Jokowi’s name among them. In response, the president questioned the basis of the allegations and challenged those making the accusations to provide evidence.
“What exactly did I corrupt? Show me the proof,” Jokowi said with a laugh when asked about the nomination on Tuesday, as reported by PanjiRakyat.
Jokowi added that the current era is rife with baseless accusations, slander, and malicious framing without supporting evidence. He called for any allegations to be substantiated with clear proof. “There is so much slander, so many malicious accusations, and framing without evidence. That is what’s happening now,” he stated.
When asked whether political motives were behind the nomination, Jokowi suggested reporters should direct their questions to the OCCRP. He remarked that accusations and framing can be carried out by anyone through various platforms.
“Ask them directly. People can use any platform—NGOs, political parties, or mass organizations—to make accusations, to create malicious framing, and spread baseless claims,” he added.
OCCRP Corrupt Person of The Year
In 2024, OCCRP has opened nominations for its Corrupt ‘Person of The Year’ awards to the public. The list of nominees includes figures from various countries. The nominations were determined through public polling, journalist networks, NGOs, and a panel of six judges comprising journalists and academics.
Read also : Corrupt Person of the Year Awards 2024 Opens, OCCRP Invites Public to Nominate Candidates
According to KataData, the top five nominees for 2024 were includes exiled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Kenyan President William Ruto, former Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Indian businessman Gautam Adani.
In the final results, Bashar al-Assad was named OCCRP’s 2024 Person of the Year in the organized crime and corruption category.
While president Jokowi has responded and denied allegation of corruptions in response to being nominated as OCCRP Corrupt ‘Person of The Year’ 2024 finalist, this award has been a powerful tool to raise awareness about corruption cases by various figures across the world.
(Raidi/Agung)
