Minister Of Religion Yaqut Transfers Six Echelon I Officials, Some Against And Sue To Court

Secretary General of the Ministry of Religion Nizar Ali. (ANTARA/HO-Kemenag)

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas transferred six echelon I officials namely the Inspector General, Head of Balitbang-Diklat, Director General of Guidance; Christians, Catholics, Hindus, and Buddhists, as an effort to refresh the organization.

"Mutations are a common thing for organizational refreshment," said Secretary General of the Ministry of Religion Nizar Ali in a written statement received in Jakarta, Tuesday, December 21.

Nizar said the Minister of Religion as the Personnel Guidance Officer (PPK) had the authority to transfer his organization's personnel with various considerations, one of which was refreshment.

In addition, the Minister of Religion also has the authority not to convey the reason for the transfer to the person concerned.

"The reason or consideration for making the transfer belongs to the PPK and not for public consumption. What is certain is that the mutation that is currently being taken is not a punishment, but an effort to refresh the organization. This is a normal thing. Every ASN must be ready to be placed and transferred," he said.

Transfers are also, he said, in the context of strengthening and increasing institutional capacity, as well as being part of the pattern of employee career development.

"As part of efforts to refresh and improve performance, transfers must be interpreted from the perspective of the ministry's interests, not the interests of individuals or groups," he said.

Responding to the plan of a number of Director Generals who will sue the State Administrative Court (PTUN) for assessing that the transfer process is not transparent, Nizar welcomes it because it has been regulated by law.

"The lawsuit to the Administrative Court is the right in question and is indeed regulated in the law. So go ahead," he said.