Yandri Susanto Controversy: Village Minister Who Uses Ministry Letter Kop For Personal Events

Mendes PDT, Yandri Susanto. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The people never stop watching the actions of government officials. The people did not remain silent when officials committed violations. The narrative was present when Yandri Susanto used inappropriate power.

The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT) was blasphemed completely because he used the ministry's official letterhead for personal gain. He became the first minister of the Prabowo Subianto era to be criticized by the wider community. Yandri's existence was tarnished by the singing of power.

President Prabowo Subianto's commitment to bring about changes is unquestionable. He began to compile his cabinet with selected people as ministers. In fact, Prabowo is of the view that the ministry must be increased so that the government agenda becomes measurable and directed.

Prabowo's optimism in making Indonesia a big country continues to burn. Prabowo also appointed Yandri Susanto as Mendes PDT on October 21, 2024. The politician from the National Mandate Party (PAN) is considered to be able to bring rapid progress to villages in Indonesia.

Hope for hope. Yandri actually started his first day as minister with controversy. Yandri wrote an official letter with a ministerial letter for personal gain. The letter is titled the commemoration of the 2nd anniversary of his mother as well as the celebration of Santri Day.

Letter with the official Kop numbered: 19/UMM.02.03/X/2024 tried to invite the Village Head to the head of the RT in the Kramatwatu area, Serang, Banten. The letter was made shortly after he was sworn in. The haul event was relaxed the day after, or on October 22, 2024.

Recently Yandri's letter was spread to the public and became a polemic. The crowd arose because the haul activity was considered only a packaging of events. The public considers the original event to be a form of seeking political support because Yandri's wife, Ratu Rachmatu Zakiyah, will compete in the 2024 Serang Pilbup.

The presence of the village head is also considered to be successful in the political agenda of Yandri's family. However, Yandri refused the event he held which was politically charged.

"During the process, there was no political element, nor did we want this event to be ridden by political elements. Including today we are donating food, it is on behalf of our mother," said Yandri as quoted on the tempo.co page, October 22, 2024.

The controversy over the use of the ministry's official letterhead provoked criticism and criticism. Yandri is considered to have used power. This action is considered a blurry portrait of Yandri's leadership in the future. He did not hesitate to use his ministry for personal gain.

Yandri later became the first minister of the Prabowo Subianto era to get harsh criticism from all Indonesian people. The strongest criticism arose from Mahfud MD. The national figure who has been in the legislature, judiciary, and executive called Yandri's move a big mistake.

Mahfud assessed that Yandri had violated bureaucratic ethics. He emphasized that haul and thanksgiving events are of personal interest. This activity has nothing to do with the administration of state institutions.

Yandri was asked by Mahfud to be careful in using attributes and symbols of government. Mahfud's criticism actually provoked many other criticisms. Criticism also emerged from the General Chair of PAN, Zulkifli Hasan. The man who is familiarly called Zulhas views Yandri as having to apologize immediately and promises not to repeat it.

Prabowo Subianto responded to Yandri's actions through Cabinet Secretary (Seskab), Teddy Indra Wijaya on October 23, 2024. Teddy appealed to all ministers in the Red and White Cabinet to be careful in issuing letters containing personal interests.

The Yandri Susanto case was used as an example. Prabowo as revealed by Teddy did not want the same thing to happen in the future. In fact, Prabowo's appeal through Teddy was not enough. State officials continue to abuse power with official letterhead for personal gain.

"Yes (Seskab gave a warning), we must be on alert together. We must protect this great public trust together. All appeals to all ministers in the Red and White Cabinet. Don't use this ministry for personal and family interests," said Minister of Cooperatives Budi Arie Setiadi as quoted by the COMPAs.com page, October 23, 2024.

Yandri may be the first. The trail was then followed by Maman Abdurrahman. The Minister of MSMEs used an official letter from the ministry asking ambassadors in several European countries to make his wife's journey from June 30 to July 14, 2025.

Recently, Suharyanto's same track was carried out on August 11, 2025. The head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) issued an official letter of letter of agency for the success of his son's marriage.