Exclusive, Jusuf Rizal: Officials Shouldn't Carelessly Give Statements, Can Be Misleading

Public officials must be wise when making statements. Because what he said wrongly could mislead the public and even create conflict between communities. This is the concern of the President of LIRA Drs. HM Jusuf Rizal, SE, SH, MSi, was aware of a minister's statement that led to protests in Papua. To anyone who occupies a position as a public official, Rizal said to be able to choose and sort out statements so as not to make noise.

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The NGO LIRA (Lumbung Information Rakyat) was founded in 2005 from the embryo of the Blora Center. Blora Center is a team of volunteers formed to assist SBY-JK when running for president. “Alhamdulillah, what we have tried together with other elements has come true, SBY and JK became the elected president and vice president. Then we were offered inside the system, I said I chose outside. I and some friends later founded the NGO LIRA,” explained Rizal.

LIRA focuses on supervising officials in exercising their authority and supervising allegations of corruption. LIRA has uncovered several major cases, such as fat accounts of police officers, fat accounts of members of the Banggar (Budget Agency) DPR RI and various cases in areas that LIRA uncovered.

As an NGO, according to Drs. HM Jusuf Rizal, SE., SH., MSi., LIRA does not take sides, but has its own channel for political aspirations. He firmly distinguishes LIRA as an NGO and when it comes to channeling political aspirations. “LIRA is purely an NGO, while to channel political aspirations, I free members to go to any party,” he told Iqbal Irsyad, Edy Suherli, Savic Rabos and Rifai, who met him at his residence in Cibubur, East Jakarta, recently. Here is the full excerpt.

How would you explain the negative stigma of NGOs in society?

There are many NGOs but not many professionally managed, we are able to reverse that stigma. So first you must have integrity, have loyalty and then you must not talk (peace) after reporting a case. Given Rp 50,000 completed. We're not like that. Our NGO is a realistic idealist. It means that we are idealistic and on track as a correcting civil society. Then, but realistically, if there are matters concerning the interests of the public, we may actually do coaching, we will do it persuasively. So if there is abuse of authority, we don't have to burn everything, but we remind them. We synergize and partner with anyone for the same purpose. As long as it doesn't hurt the organization. There was a case of my member "catching a cold" and I was fired.

What corruption cases did LIRA reveal?

The cases that we uncovered include the fat police account, and the corruption case of communication tools and communication networks (alkom-jarkom). The fat accounts of police officers, fat accounts of members of the Banggar (Budget Agency) DPR RI and various cases in the regions that LIRA uncovered. And the cases in the regions revealed by the provincial LIRA.

What are the challenges in uncovering this corruption case?

Quite a lot and the challenges are also quite large. There was terror and even our members had to be kidnapped and killed. All of these are challenges, they must be faced because they believe that what they are fighting for is right.

After the reformation, it's not that corruption has decreased, but it's getting worse. How do you see this?

There are several instruments that caused the eradication of corruption to retreat, we experience a moral crisis, then a moral crisis is a nationalist and patriotic crisis. Why are people now not ashamed? Corruption people are proud, even proud. In addition, law enforcement is weak. The corruptors should be sentenced to death and impoverished. So there is a deterrent effect, now it's not. After serving the sentence, the corruptor still has a lot of wealth. I think this is our homework together.

in the district. Bintuni Papua caused a stir when the Regent of Teluk Bintuni protested the words of the Minister of Investment / Head of BPKM Bahlil Lahadalia who planned to move the fertilizer factory from Bintuni Bay to Fakfak. LIRA Papua supports the protest of the Regent of Teluk Bintuni and criticizes Minister Bahlil's actions, how do you see this?

What friends, the Governor of LIRA Papua and the Regent of LIRA in Bintuni do, it doesn't matter. They say like that even we give encouragement. This means that every Minister, every public official does not easily issue a statement. Because the words of government officials can be a foothold. If you just talk about it then it's a problem for the people below.

Apart from the main functions of the Papuan LIRA, which criticizes Minister Bahlil, as a national figure and also a member of the cabinet, is what he said appropriate?

That's why being a public official is not easy, so the official must have critical power and understand the substance. So in a professional and proportional context so as not to make a headache below. If later an official issues a statement but it doesn't have a sufficient basis, then people will give another assessment. First, they think that Jokowi's government is unprofessional, it's not good. Then it is considered that the minister also does not have the capacity and capability. I don't think this is good either.

LIRA Papua also urges that the report on alleged corruption to the KPK in 2013 by the NGO Kampak had reported the Regent of Fakfak Muhammad Uswanas and also Bahlil to be processed, how far do you observe this?

Now, I think this is a lesson, so if there are public officials who are suspected of violating it, it is natural for the community to criticize. It is considered detrimental to be reported and processed by law in accordance with applicable legal provisions. If you have the courage to report, you must be ready to fight in court.

As for those who want to report or want us to demand that we give the respective LIRA Governors, Regents/Mayors of LIRA in each province. So let them learn to criticize, let them also make legal standing so that there will be a learning process not only for LIRA NGO cadres throughout Indonesia, but also for officials. For example, in East Java, when there was a crowd for Khofifah Indarparawansa's birthday, the East Java LIRA reported it to the Police, to the DPR DPRD. This is a form of constructive criticism. This is what we will develop, I support friends in Papua if they really want to report government officials, the important thing is to have facts and have sufficient legal standing.

There are still people who ask about the LIRA NGO, especially when there is the term LIRA President, LIRA Governor and so on. Similar to a government structure. Can you explain what a LIRA is and what it does?

LIRA is an NGO spirit, but its network is like a network of political parties and the government. So we have DPP, DPW, DPC, down to the Kelurahan/Village level. For positions we adopt the term in the state. There is the President of LIRA, the Vice President, there is the Governor, the Regent/Mayor, the Camat. Lurah / Village Head. We all encourage this in order to help the government as an anti-corruption movement. We fight abuse of power, and promote transparency in the management of the state. We've been doing this for 16 years. And we have done a lot of positive things for this nation. We also want to develop Indonesia but also at the same time protect this country through what we do, namely controlling if there is abuse of authority or what we call corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN).

When SBY-JK was elected, you admitted that you were offered to enter the system, but you refused. What's the story?

So, I'm a professional at first, I know my own abilities. Therefore, if I am in the system, I may have limited range of motion. So I prefer to go outside rather than get the facilities that I think I already have. Some thought I was crazy, for refusing the facilities offered. Usually after a successful struggle people want to enjoy, but instead I chose to be outside. I said our work is not finished yet, SBY-JK will just start working, we will monitor what we support. During these 16 years we have consistently helped the government, so we are partners with the government, but remain critical and constructive and independent.

When times change, Jokowi goes up, you also support Jokowi?

People think that when SBY is no longer in power, the LIRA is considered to be dead. They are wrong, I have never received any facilities from SBY during his 10 years as president. So we are independent and have never been assisted by donor agencies. So the LIRA children work and have jobs. When helping Jokowi run as a presidential candidate, we do not use the LIRA. We made The President Center. Until now, we have never asked for anything, but we have consistently helped the Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin government in order to build this country for the better, in particular and prevention of corruption.

Regarding this matter, I give autonomy to the Governor of LIRA, LIRA Regent/Mayor, LIRA Camat, Lurah/Village Head of LIRA, so that it is no longer centralized if there is a problem. Their authority is to be able to supervise and correct officials in their respective environments.

For example, the regent of the NGO LIRA in Probolinggo corrected Hasan Aminuddin with his wife, who was eventually arrested by the KPK OTT. The role of the Regent of the NGO LIRA in Probolinggo was extraordinary, because many people were not convinced that he could bring down Hasan Aminuddin after 18 years in power. It turns out that if there is a will and it is not easy, there are indeed many challenges for that.

Are you also in politics apart from NGOs?

NGOs can't do politics, when we help Jokowi they don't use LIRA. I also don't force LIRA cadres to get involved, those who want to join in at The President Center are welcome. After the election is over and Jokowi is elected, we will not enter the system. It is okay. So LIRA has a red and white background, any members who want to do politics, please. LIRA has any background, from those who love prayer mats to illegitimate ones, hehehe.

Being an anti-corruption activist is not easy. Lots of challenges and temptations that come. However, Drs. HM, Jusuf Rizal, SE., SH., MSi., patiently. During the 16 years of leading the NGO LIRA, he has experienced many ups and downs. Including carrying out organizational activities and personal activities in the midst of this pandemic.

During this pandemic when space for movement is completely limited, Jusuf Rizal tries to learn the wisdom behind this. He firmly believes that there is a great wisdom sent by the Almighty behind this COVID-19 pandemic.

“We must be grateful for all that God Almighty has sent, therefore we must sincerely accept it. If there is a mention in my religious belief, what do you think is good is not necessarily good. And on the other hand, what is seen as bad, does not mean that there is no benefit behind it," he said.

With this pandemic, many are becoming technology conscious. "Culture has also changed, people have become aware of cleanliness, health and so on," he said.

Cultural issues have also changed, developing in all lines and up to the business sector. “Our society and nation have become technologically literate to be able to adopt the so-called industrial revolution 4.0. There have been lots of changes. I take this positively. I see this as part of the ordeal we have to accept," he said.

However, as an effort to protect himself, Rizal continues to take vitamins other than food with balanced nutrition and participates in vaccinations. “I also drink a lot of vitamin D, vitamin E and foods that can increase endurance and the immune system. And one more thing to be happy," he said.

After the morning prayers, Rizal did some light exercise around his beautiful house, helping to sweep the yard while basking in the sun. The latter is a new habit that was not carried out before the pandemic.

Joy and sorrow

As an anti-corruption activist through the NGO LIRA, Rizal admits that not everyone likes him. “When we talk about ups and downs, it's not easy to manage and nurture NGO activists. There are even some people who say that being a leader in the TNI and Polri is easier. Because they were ordered to go. But if the NGO people can't do that, they are a battering ram if they don't have enough leadership skills that we can laugh at," he said.

Because of that, continued Rizal, he never stopped learning. “Leaders who don't want to learn will be left behind by change itself. So I keep learning,” he admits.

Because of his activities to uncover corruption cases, Rizal and also LIRA members often received threats and terror. “Threats and terror are always there, and there are many irrational messages of disease. There is also slander that says that we receive something. Anyway, there are many trials," he said.

Fortunately, we get appreciation when what we say turns out to be true. That, said Rizal, is a satisfaction in itself. “We feel appreciated because we have been SBY's assistant for 10 years. We are still consistent, never change, the speech remains on the track. Then when the regime changed, we helped Jokowi during the campaign, we also stayed on track and never asked for a position after Jokowi was appointed," he said.

Regarding sustenance, Rizal has surrendered to the Almighty. All he has to do is try, he will leave all the results to God. "If God wants no one can refuse even our sustenance to the ant hole will not be lost," he said.

Rizal always remembers his parents' message. “When walking on kindness, my parents message was to plant kindness throughout life. When I went to Jakarta I was never given money by my parents. I just pray that the goodness I have instilled throughout my life can pave the way for my children too. And thank God, until now I have never experienced difficulties in life, that's why I also try to continue to do good," he said.

And in order to be a door of goodness, said Jusuf Rizal, you must be good at being grateful for the blessings given by God Almighty. “If we are grateful, it will be added from a direction that we did not expect. And if we deny Allah's punishment, it will be very painful. I am grateful for what I get by helping others. You can't with wealth with advice," he said.

“Actually, I made this LIRA for amar ma'ruf and forbidding evil. So how do we bring good and prevent bad. Over the next 16 years, it has matured so that through LIRA activities we consider this to be part of worship. Because we consider this worship so there is no burden, our intentions are sincere and with sincere intentions, then for 16 years we have walked with full dynamics. Just leave it alone, there are people who don't like it. I was also threatened to be killed, but because the intentions were sincere and worship, we were sincere. There is nothing to fear except the Almighty."

Drs. HM, Jusuf Rizal, SE., SH., MSi.,