Tessa Mahardhika, the KPK's New Spokesperson, Declares Assets Worth Rp1.19 Billion

Tessa Mahardhika Sugiarto was appointed as the permanent spokesperson for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Friday, June 7, 2024. She replaces Ali Fikri, who was removed after four years as acting spokesperson for the enforcement division.

According to the KPK's State Officials' Wealth Report (LHKPN), Tessa previously worked under the KPK's Deputy for Enforcement and Execution. Her position was Senior Expert Corruption Crime Investigator.

Tessa reported assets totaling Rp1.19 billion in 2023, as declared on February 22, 2024. The largest component comes from land and buildings in South Tangerang, valued at Rp1.1 billion. In her report, Tessa claimed these were self-acquired.

The second largest component is transportation, amounting to Rp517 million. Tessa owns a 2018 Hyundai car (claimed self-acquired, valued at Rp500,000) and a 2017 Honda Vario motorcycle (valued at Rp17 million).

Tessa also possesses other movable assets worth Rp100 million, cash and cash equivalents of Rp446,000, and other assets totaling Rp500 million.

Her subtotal assets reach Rp2.21 billion. However, she has debts of Rp1.03 billion. Therefore, her total net worth is Rp1.19 billion.

Here is a detailed breakdown of Tessa Mahardhika's assets in 2023:

* Land and buildings: Rp1,100,000,000
* Transportation and machinery: Rp517,000,000
* Other movable assets: Rp100,000,000
* Cash and cash equivalents: Rp446,000
* Other assets: Rp500,000,000
* Subtotal: Rp2,217,446,000
* Debts: Rp1,024,293,875
* Total net worth: Rp1,193,152,125

Spokesperson replacement deemed sudden

According to *Kompas.com*, Ali Fikri described his removal as KPK spokesperson as sudden. This occurred after he alluded to criticism of the KPK leadership.

“But, of course, that is entirely the leadership's prerogative. I remain committed and will return to the 'backstage,' overseeing the KPK's communication strategy as head of the news section,” said Ali, as quoted by *Kompas.com* on Friday, June 8, 2024.

Ali had previously urged the KPK leadership to conduct self-evaluation. He made this statement in response to the Supervisory Board's criticism of the KPK leadership during a hearing with Commission III of the DPR (House of Representatives).

At that time, KPK Supervisory Board Chairman Tumpak Panggabean proposed a revision of the KPK Law while presenting the anti-corruption agency's performance from 2020-2024. Ali agreed that changes to improve the KPK in the future through the law would be beneficial.

Furthermore, Ali hoped that the KPK leadership would maintain integrity and work to complete the anti-corruption agenda going forward.

“I think Mr. Tumpak's (Supervisory Board Chairman Tumpak Panggabean) criticism is excellent material for the KPK's current self-evaluation, including the current KPK leadership,” said Ali, as quoted by *Kompas.id* on Friday, June 7, 2024.

However, the KPK leadership denied that this criticism was a factor in Ali's removal. KPK Deputy Chair Nurul Ghufron stated that Ali was removed because he also held the position of head of the KPK's news section.

Previously, Ali was a public prosecutor from the Attorney General's Office (Kejagung) before assuming the position of KPK spokesperson in 2019. Ghufron argued that these two positions should be held by different individuals.

“Ali has been working concurrently as acting [plt] for four years. It's also unfair to Mas Ali,” said Ghufron to *Kompas.com*.

Ghufron admitted that they had conducted recruitment for an external spokesperson two years prior. However, no candidates passed due to a lack of understanding of KPK issues. On the other hand, the KPK was also cautious about confidential information, leading them to choose a spokesperson from within the organization.

“Since it's from within, the administrative process is certainly faster, and then we conduct interviews, as usual, according to procedure,” said Ghufron.