KPK Reminds Acting Regional Head Not To Join Corruption After Inauguration

Illustration (Irfan Meidianto/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) hopes that the acting (Pj) regional heads will not participate in corrupt practices after being sworn in. They are asked to use their positions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

"KPK hopes that the acting regional heads will not be involved in corrupt practices," Acting KPK Spokesperson for Prevention Ipi Maryati Kuding told reporters in a written statement quoted on Friday, May 13.

Ipi explained that there are corruption-prone points that should be the attention of the acting regional heads. Among them are related to the procurement of goods and services, regional treasury management, grants and social assistance, asset management, to the placement of local government capital in BUMD or third parties.

In addition, another vulnerable point is corruption in the regional revenue sector, starting from regional taxes and levies as well as regional revenues from the center.

Then, corruption in the licensing sector starts from providing recommendations to issuing permits and conflicts of interest, as well as abuse of authority in the process of auctioning positions, rotations, transfers, and promotions of ASN in government circles.

"KPK invites acting regional heads to use their positions and authorities to make policies that favor the interests of the people and prioritize the principles of good governance in leading their regions," he said.

Furthermore, Ipi said that this KPK warning was not a joke. Anyone who is corrupt, he continued, will be dealt with firmly.

Moreover, based on data on the handling of corruption cases by the anti-corruption commission, as of December 2021, 170 regional heads have been ensnared. "It consists of 148 regent/mayor cases and 22 governor cases," said Ipi.

Thus, these officials are reminded to continue with integrity because they will lead for a year and this is not a short time.

"The acting regional heads have the same authority as the definitive regional heads and will lead the regions in a relatively long period of one to two years," he said.

As previously reported, the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian has appointed five acting governors on Thursday, May 12 at his office, Jalan Medan Merdeka Utara. Those appointed are:

1. Banten Regional Secretary Al Muktabar who became the Acting Governor of Banten2. Director General of Regional Autonomy (Otda) of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) Akmal Malik who became Acting Governor of West Sulawesi3. Director General of Mineral and Coal of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ridwan Djamaluddin, who is the Acting Governor of the Bangka Belitung Islands4. Expert Staff for Sportivity Culture of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Hamka Hendra Noer who will be inaugurated as Acting Governor of Gorontalo5. Komjen (Purn.) Paulus Waterpauw who now serves as Deputy for Management of Potential Border Areas at the BNPP Ministry of Home Affairs as Acting Governor of West Papua.

Tito said they had a maximum term of a year. Later, every three months, these officials will be evaluated by submitting a report to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) through the Ministry of Home Affairs.