KPK OTT Uncovers Safe House, Minister of Finance asks Kemenkeu employees to improve

Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa (middle)

JAKARTA - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa reminded all employees of the Ministry of Finance to stay away from the practice of bribery, following the hand-in-hand operation (OTT) carried out by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) against a number of officials at the Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC).

Purbaya highlighted the KPK's findings in the alleged bribery case, including the existence of customs officers who rented a safe house to store cash and precious metals from corruption.

"It means that there are temporary employees who have not carried out their work straight. It means that there are still, yes, it seems that there are those who receive money, there are safe houses, there is money for so and so, there is 3 kilograms of gold and others, it means that we are not yet clean," he said. in the Inauguration of the First High-ranking Officials of the Ministry of Finance, Friday, February 6.

Purbaya explained that the rotation of positions that had been carried out since last week in the DJBC and DJP environment was expected to encourage internal improvements and maintain the reputation of the Ministry of Finance.

He emphasized the importance of improving the image of the two institutions, considering that similar cases have occurred repeatedly, and if they are not anticipated seriously, this kind of practice will continue to occur.

"In the past, the previous leadership was not affected, we will wait for the process in Kalimantan.

"If the suspect is really at level 1 under his leadership, we will continue to change it up," he said.

Purbaya also reminded the newly appointed officials to actively and seriously supervise the performance of their subordinates.

He emphasized that if there is a criminal act of corruption at the lower level, then the responsibility cannot be released from the immediate superior.

"I hope that the friends who have just been appointed will oversee the performance of their subordinates. We can't say anymore that oh it's too far below me, you have to supervise it. Because in the end, if this continues, the directors and I will also be affected, we can't run away. But now we are trying to fix it as soon as possible," he explained.

Purbaya hopes that within the next one year, namely until December, a very significant improvement will be seen.

In addition, he conveyed that the Ministry of Finance would also utilize technology to minimize direct interaction between employees and taxpayers or parties supervised by the Customs.

He said that the use of technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), has begun to be applied and can be developed quickly because the human resources in the ministry are considered qualified.

However, Purbaya emphasized that the leadership would not abandon employees who faced legal problems as long as they worked according to the rules.

"I will enter, I will accompany you through the accompaniment. But we can't intervene in legal matters. So if you do things according to the rules, you don't have to be afraid. We will take care of it, there will be no tax or customs officers who will be abused, unless they make a mistake," he explained.

Purbaya hopes that all employees can immediately adapt to the new policy direction and management that has committed to bringing changes for the better and integrity.