Amid the nation’s efforts to tackle Covid-19, the work of the government has been interrupted by reports of a conflict of interest involving members of the Presidential Special Staff.
By
EREN MARSYUKRILLA
·6 minutes read
Kompas/Wawan H Prabowo
President Joko Widodo introduces seven new special staff from millennial management on the veranda of the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (11/21/2019). They are (from left to right) Andi Taufan Garuda, Ayu Kartika Dewi, Adamas Belva Syah Devara, Gracia Billy Yosaphat Membrasar, Putri Indahsari Tanjung, Angkie Yudistia, and Aminuddin Ma\'ruf.
Amid the nation’s efforts to tackle Covid-19, the work of the government has been interrupted by reports of a conflict of interest involving members of the Presidential Special Staff. Strict evaluation and supervision needs to be carried out so that the government’s performance can continue transparently.
Conflict of interest is a situation that has the potential to affect someone’s decision making due to a conflict of personal interests and professional interests, especially when the individual is a government official. There is evidence of conflicts of interest in the handling of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
An official letter, featuring the seal of the Cabinet Secretary, has been circulated widely on social media and on mainstream media. At first glance the letter looks like an official letter that is usually issued by government officials.
The controversy about this letter actually only appeared nearly two weeks after the letter written.
The letter, dated April 1, 2020, stirred controversy after it was discovered that it was written signed by one of a member of the Presidential Special Staff, Andi Taufan Garuda Putra. The controversy about this letter actually only appeared nearly two weeks after the letter written.
The letter was directed to all district heads in all regions across Indonesia and contained notices as well as demands that each district and village head support the "Village Volunteer Program to Fight Covid-19 ", an initiative by PT Amartha Mikro Fintek.
The program contains information about Covid-19 and data collection on the need for personal protective equipment (PPE). It is known that Andi is the CEO of this company engaged in the empowerment of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Founded in 2010, the fintech company has channeled up to Rp 2.38 trillion in funding and empowered more than 501,000 micro entrepreneurs.
Andi is one of seven special staff members from the millennial generation appointed by the President. In the second period of his leadership, President Jokowi did provide a large space for young people to contribute. The seven special millennial staff members were chosen for their great achievements in various fields.
Kompas/Wawan H Prabowo
Andi Taufan Garuda
The controversy surrounding the letters made by the Presidential Special Staff member has not yet entered into the realm of abuse of power or corruption. However, it is feared that this will greatly open the chance for abuse because there is an element of promoting personal interests. The Indonesian Ombudsman even considered the action of the Presidential Special Staff member to be maladministration.
The President and cabinet secretary were also asked to evaluate their staff members. This is a fatal mistake because it involves the task and authority and the governance system. A day after the issue came to light, Andi immediately made an apology and withdrew the letter he signed.
In his statement, he also firmly stated that the education program of Amartha did not use state funds and was purely from corporate finance and community contributions.
Regarding this case, the Palace also stated that it had issued a strict warning against the actions of the special staff member.
Preemployment training
Aside from Andi Taufan, another case of conflict of interest in the handling of Covid-19 involved another special staff member, Adamas Belva Syah Devara. Belva\'s name is associated with the government’s preemployment card program launched several days ago. Clearly, the President had requested that this program be aimed at people laid off due to the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak.
HUMAS BNPB
Adamas Belva Syah Devara
For this program, the government has doubled the amount from its original budget to Rp 20 trillion. This is aimed at increasing the number of beneficiaries. In the first phase, the number of beneficiaries was estimated at 5.6 million people. Each participant will receive a benefit fund of Rp 3.65 million to Rp 7.65 million. That amount will be used for incentive and training costs.
Start-up Ruangguru established by Belva is one of the online-based training providers that is part of the preemployment card program. In addition to Ruangguru, there are several other digital companies that are also cooperating with the government to work together on the preemployment program, such as MauBelajarApa, HarukaEdu, PijarMahir, Sekolah.mu, Sisnaker, Tokopedia and Bukalapak.
Nevertheless, Belva\'s position in a company, which is a partner of a government program, is certainly very likely to lead to a conflict of interest with his position as a member of the Presidential Special Staff.
In his explanation, Belva said he did not contribute to the decision making regarding the preemployment card program. The authority regarding this policy rests with the Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister. Nevertheless, Belva\'s position in a company, which is a partner of a government program, is certainly very likely to lead to a conflict of interest with his position as a member of the Presidential Special Staff.
Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) said it opens opportunities for practices that only benefit certain interests.
Evaluation and supervision
Textually, the scope of duties of Presidential Special Staff members is regulated in Government Regulation (PP) No. 3/2011 concerning the Presidential Special Staff and the Vice Presidential Special Staff. The government regulation stipulates that a Presidential Special Staff member must carry out specific tasks outside the tasks of the ministries and other government agencies.
The appointment and main tasks of the Presidential Special Staff are determined by a presidential decree. In carrying out their duties, the special staff members are within the coordination line of the Cabinet Secretary, including on issues related to work procedures and administrative support. However, special staff members are not part of the executive, which has the authority to issue official letters showing government seal.
The issuance of the official letter is the authority of the related institution. In this current situation, where the public is scrutinizing the work and performance of the government in overcoming the Covid-19 crisis, all government institutions must move in harmony. In addition, the President and other authorized officials also need to carry out evaluations and actions that prevent conflicts of interest among members of his administration.
In times of crisis during this pandemic, the government’s hard work must also be accompanied with the effort to boost public confidence in the integrity of the elite.
The special staff members, especially those in the millennial generation, should be the engine of innovation. This is precisely the moment for them to prove themselves to the public. Looking ahead, the efforts to deal with Covid-19 continue. There is a very large flow of funds and the parties involved have the potential to create conflicts of interest. Surely this is our shared responsibility to oversee each process to ensure they are transparent and fair.
