Mahfud MD And Efforts To Solve Money Laundering And Corruption Issues

The alleged case of an odd transaction which was later called money laundering worth IDR 349 ​​trillion at the Indonesian Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) was in the spotlight after being revealed by Mahfud MD, Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security. Moreover, there was a discrepancy in the numbers between Mahfud MD and Sri Mulyani regarding the number of suspicious transactions at the Ministry of Finance.

Mahfud MD claimed that suspicious transactions worth more than IDR 300 trillion had occurred since 2009. Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani stated that the total transactions related to ASN or PNS (Civil Servants) at the Ministry of Finance were only IDR 3.3 trillion. In his statement to DPR members, Mahfud explained that the difference in numbers was just a perception. Though the same. Minister of Finance saw that it was not the whole, while Mahfud was total. And as reported by VOI, after the Ministry of Finance and the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs harmonized the presentation of IDR349 trillion of odd transaction data, there is indeed no difference in data between the Ministry of Finance and the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs/PPATK regarding alleged money laundering. The amount disclosed is the same alias there is no difference.

Apart from the difference in numbers between the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD and the Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani, this case has attracted attention because it involved a very large amount of money and a number of parties, including government officials. Mahfud MD, as the Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law, and Security, has a strategic position in handling this case because it relates to law and state security.

At the hearing (RDP) at the DPR, Mahfud MD and members of the DPR were involved in a debate and threatened each other. Mahfud MD received information about alleged money laundering at the Ministry of Finance. A number of politicians seriously responded to this case and urged Mahfud MD to uncover suspicious transactions at the Ministry of Finance and ensure that money laundering perpetrators were followed up immediately.

The case of suspected money laundering worth hundreds of trillions of rupiah at the Ministry of Finance is proof that Indonesia still has a lot of homework to do in strengthening state financial governance and promoting transparency and accountability.

However, it is not only Indonesia that has problems with money laundering and corruption within state institutions. A book entitled "Moneyland: Why Thieves And Crooks Now Rule The World And How To Take It Back" by Oliver Bullough reveals that this problem exists all over the world. This book reveals how corruptors, oligarchs, and financial criminals use the global financial system to hide their wealth and protect themselves from the law. This book also discusses how international efforts to address this problem have not been fully successful, and are sometimes even hindered by countries that are actually part of this problem.

Bullough highlights how much of the world's corrupt and illegal money flows into "Moneyland", a global gray area that is not regulated by any country. This is a place where money can be hidden, and corruptors and financial criminals can protect themselves from the law. Bullough also stressed the importance of transparency and fairness in the global financial system, and proposed several solutions to overcome this problem.

Some of the solutions suggested by Bullough are increasing international cooperation in fighting financial crime, pursuing corruptors and financial criminals more decisively, and increasing oversight of the global financial system. In addition, Bullough also emphasized the important role of the public and activists in fighting for justice and transparency in the global financial system.

In the Indonesian context, efforts are needed to increase transparency in the financial system and governance, including in matters of money laundering and corruption. This effort can be carried out through the application of strict laws, increased supervision, and law enforcement, as well as training and education for the public about the importance of integrity and transparency in government and business.

However, these efforts must also be accompanied by international action to address problems of money laundering and corruption that cross national boundaries. Such as increasing cooperation between international financial institutions: International financial institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, and FATF can play a role in assisting countries in preventing, detecting, and dealing with money laundering and corruption. These institutions can provide training, technical assistance, and other resources needed to enhance the capacity of national financial institutions.