Fictitious Corruption in DKI Culture Office: Head of Office and Head of Division Temporarily Dismissed from ASN

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has dismissed the civil servant (ASN) status of the Head of the DKI Jakarta Culture Office (Disbud) Iwan Henry Wardhana and the Head of the Utilization Division of the DKI Jakarta Disbud Mohamad Fairza Maulana

This dismissal was carried out after the DKI Jakarta High Prosecutor's Office (Kejati) named Iwan and Fairza as suspects in a corruption case involving fictitious activities of the DKI Disbud. The DKI Kejati also named Gatot Arif Rahmadi, the owner of a fake event organizer (EO), as a suspect.

"To ensure the smooth running of the investigation process and maintain the integrity of public services, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has taken firm steps by dismissing the Head of the Culture Office and the Head of related Divisions," said Acting Head of the DKI Culture Office Budi Awaluddin in his statement, Friday, January 3.

When the DKI Disbud office was searched by the Kejati some time ago, Iwan and Fairza were also removed from their positions. Deactivation of office and dismissal from civil servant status, said Budi, is carried out as a form of responsibility and commitment in maintaining public trust.

"If a civil servant is named a suspect and detained, then based on Government Regulation (PP) No. 17 of 2020 (amendment to PP Number 11 of 2017 concerning Civil Servant Management), his/her civil servant status is temporarily suspended," said Budi.

Temporary suspension for civil servants due to being suspects of a crime is also stipulated in Article 40 of the State Civil Service Agency Regulation Number 3 of 2020 concerning Technical Instructions for Dismissal of Civil Servants and Article 53 Paragraph 2 of Law Number 20 of 2023 concerning State Civil Apparatus.

Currently, Iwan and Fairza have not been dishonorably discharged. Dismissal will be carried out if both are proven guilty in court and sentenced to a criminal sentence with a minimum sentence of two years in prison, according to PP Number 94 of 2021 concerning Civil Servant Discipline.

"The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is ready to fully cooperate with the Attorney General's Office to help resolve this case. The government also ensures that access to data and information required in the legal process is available and open in accordance with applicable provisions," explained Budi.

Currently, Gatot as the owner of the fake EO has been detained at the Cipinang Detention Center for 20 days, after undergoing examination as a suspect. Then, the DKI Prosecutor's Office scheduled a summons for Iwan and Fairza as suspects for examination next week.

The activities in collaboration with GR-Pro were launched with two variations, namely activities that were completely fictitious, then activities that were partly implemented and partly fictitious.

In carrying out activities sourced from the Regional Budget (APBD), regional apparatuses such as the Culture Office must make accountability for the use of the budget.

To cover this gap, Iwan and Fairza made an accountability letter or SPJ using fake stamps and borrowed several companies in return for 2.5 percent. The company also did not carry out activities as stated in the SPJ of the Culture Office.

"One of the activities was an art performance with a budget of IDR 15 billion. The manipulation method included bringing in several parties and then giving them uniforms as dancers," said Head of the DKI Jakarta High Prosecutor's Office Patris Yusrian Jaya.

"Next, the photos on stage and given the title as if this photo was after carrying out a certain dance activity, but the dance never existed. And this was then made an accountability. It was also equipped with fake stamps from the management," he added.