Tanjungpinang City Government Inaugurates Yudi Ramdan Even Though He Is A Suspect, Observer: Not Populist And Supports Corruption Eradication

Inauguration of Echelon III and IV officials of the Tanjungpinang City Government (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Public policy observer Wayu Eko Yudiatmaja said that the inauguration of an official with the status of a corruption suspect violates state administration ethics, even though it does not violate regulations.

"Managing the government must not only obey the rules, but also from an ethical aspect. Does this create a bad precedent for the government or not? If it is considered, ASNs with suspect status should not be appointed as officials," said Wayu. 23 January.

Raja Ali Haji Tanjungpinang, a lecturer at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Maritime University, added that the Tanjungpinang City Government, led by Rahma, took too great a risk when inaugurating Yudi Ramdani, who was recently named a suspect in a corruption case by local prosecutors.

The good name of the regional government has been tarnished due to the policy of placing Yudi Ramdani in a case of alleged corruption in the Acquisition of Land and Building Rights (BPHTB) fees at the Regional Tax and Retribution Management Agency (BP2RD) Tanjungpinang.

The policy set forth in the Decree of the Mayor of Tanjungpinang Number 35/2021 concerning the Appointment of Highly Executive Senior Officials will also affect the clean performance of ASN.

"This is a policy that is not populist in both the community and government circles, which seems as if the mayor does not support the eradication of corruption. It is better if this policy is reviewed to prevent prolonged polemic," he said.

He also highlighted the process of appointing these officials whether through open bidding selection or not. "They were sworn in, and should have signed an integrity pact where one of the important points is not to commit corruption," he said.

Wayu questioned the Mayor of Tanjungpinang Rahma's consideration to reapply the suspected corruption official to become Echelon II officials, even though he did not violate the rules because Indonesia adheres to the presumption of innocence.

In determining the suspect, the Tanjungpinang Prosecutor's Office of course has already had sufficient evidence and witness testimony.

He also questioned whether the official was able to work optimally or not.

"There should be an analysis of the matter. Shouldn't the suspect be given the opportunity to focus on handling the case which may take a long time," he said.

Based on data from Antara, the name Yudi Ramdani is in the order of 73 of the 272 officials appointed. Yudi when he served as Head of the Asset Division at the Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency (BPKAD) of Tanjungpinang City was named a suspect.

His new position since January 9, 2021 is Head of the Social Protection and Security Sector at the Tanjungpinang City Social Service.

Mayor Rahma said the inauguration of all these officials, including those who were stumbling over legal cases, was in accordance with procedures and careful considerations with Baperjakat.

"We prefer the presumption of innocence," he said.

He hopes that officials who have not been inaugurated to be patient will also arrive. Pemko Tanjungpinang continues to strive to provide the best for the advancement of the City of Tanjungpinang by preparing ASN with high quality and integrity.