Conflict Of Interest Prone, Integrity Of Ombudsman Selection Process Questioned

Ombudsman Building (ANTARA)

JAKARTA Transparency International Indonesia (TII) researcher Agus Sarwono assesses that conflicts of interest have the potential to appear in the selection process for prospective members of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia (ORI) for the period 2026-2031.

"In our view, there are two names of members of the selection committee for candidates for members of the Ombudsman who can cause conflicts of interest, namely Erwan Agus Purwanto and Munafrizal," he said, Sunday, July 20, 2025.

Seperti diketahui, Presiden Prabowo Subianto melalui Keppres Nomor 57/P/2025 yang ditandatangani 3 Juni lalu menetapkan nama anggota reselection committee calon anggota ORI, yakni Deputi Bidang Refirmasi Kementerian PAN-RB Erwan Agus Purwanto selaku ketua, Dirjen Pelayanan dan Kepatuhan HAM Kementerian Hukum Munafrizal Manan selaku wakil ketua, serta Rektor UMJ Ma'mun Murod, dekan Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Ahmad Suedy, dan mantan Komsioner KPU RI Ida Budhiati sebagai anggota.

According to Agus, the existence of Erwan and Munafrizal as members of the Pansel is questionable. He explained that apart from being a high-ranking official at the PAN-RB Ministry, Erwan has served as Independent Commissioner of PT. Angkasa Pura I since December 2023. PT Angkasa Pura I is one of the companies under the Subholding of InJourney Airports, which is part of the holding of BUMN tourism and aviation inJourney.

On the other hand, airports and the air transportation sector are objects of direct supervision of the Indonesian Ombudsman and problems at airports often appear in public complaint reports that come to the institution.

Erwan akan menilai calon anggota Ombudsman yang berpotensi harus mengawasi entitas tempat dia sendiri duduk sebagai pengawas. Ini menimbulkan konflik kepentingan struktural yang nyata, dan melemahkan integritas proses seleksi, terangnya.

Meanwhile, Munafrizal was appointed as a spokesman for human rights and the constitution in the Gerindra Party Election Winning Body (Bappilu). Although not listed as a formal cadre, Munafrizal's role in the campaign structure of the party raised concerns about his political affiliation and neutrality in the selection process.

In addition, the Ministry of Law is also one of the state institutions that is often complained to the Ombudsman, especially regarding its performance in the fields of correctional, immigration and administrative services. The combination of strategic positions and political affiliations makes its position prone to conflicts of interest.

"Seharusnya, pansel itu terdiri dari unsur dari pemerintah, academia dan masyarakat sipil. Ketiga unsur itu harus terhindar dari konflik kepentingan tentu," tambah Agus.

He emphasized that as an independent state institution, the existence of the Ombudsman is a mandate from Law Number 37 of 2008.

The Ombudsman plays a role in ensuring that public services run fairly, are free from maladministration, and take sides with the community. The credibility of this institution comes from the integrity of the process of its formation.

The Ombudsman's position must be protected from all forms of political and business compromise. TII together with the Civil Society Coalition urged President Prabowo to review and re-evaluate the composition of the Pansel, especially names that have conflicts of structural, political, or ideological interests that are not open," concluded Agus.