The regional head election is required to be transparent and open to public participation. If not, the practice of buying and selling positions can occur. Allowing this practice could lead to even greater corruption.
By
NIKOLAUS HARBOWO, PRAYOGI DWI SULISTYO
·5 minutes read
KOMPAS/WISNU WIDIANTORO
President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana prepare to congratulate several Governors and Deputy Governors who were sworn in at the State Palace, Jakarta, Friday (12/5/2017).
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The process of selecting 272 acting regional heads is vulnerable to the practice of buying and selling positions. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is paying great attention to this threat. However, before law enforcement can act, the central government can prevent this by developing a transparent electoral system.
Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher Egi Primayogha, when contacted in Jakarta on Tuesday (19/4/2022), said the potential for conflict of interest in the selection of acting regional heads was very large. There was only one authority, namely the central government through the Home Ministry (Kemendagri). If the process eliminated the space for public participation and was not carried out openly, the potential for fraud would be even greater.
One form of fraud that could occur was the practice of buying and selling positions. Candidates from among the state civil service (ASN) for the position of acting regional head could offer money to those with the authority to appoint the positions. The KPK had exposed this frequently occurring practice, but it generally continued for positions at local administrations.
If this practice was allowed, it was possible for greater corruption to happen. The appointed ASNs would think about giving a return on investment when serving as acting heads. As a result, the regional budget (APBD) would be vulnerable to corruption. It could also be that the acting officials conspired with businessmen to grant permits or certain projects in exchange for bribes.
"The regional budget can be misused by acting regional heads for corrupt transactions, such as has been happening to regional heads," said Egi.
According to data from the Finance Ministry, seven provinces to be appointed acting governors this year have a very large regional budgets. For example, Jakarta has been allotted a 2022 APBD of Rp 82.47 trillion, Aceh has Rp 16.17 trillion, Banten has Rp 12.7 trillion, Bangka Belitung has Rp 9.38 trillion, West Papua has Rp 6.7 trillion, Gorontalo has Rp 1.91 trillion, and West Sulawesi has Rp 1.82 trillion.
Egi therefore expressed the hope that law enforcement would supervise the selection process for acting regional heads. In addition, a transparent and participatory selection mechanism was necessary.
FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN
Video screenshot of the inauguration of the regent and deputy regent of Eastern Seram and the Aru Islands, Maluku, on Friday (26/2/2021).
KPK's concerns
In response to the potential for corruption, KPK Deputy Chair Nurul Ghufron said the commission would be paying attention to the selection process for acting regional heads.
One concern, according to acting KPK spokesperson Ali Fikri, is the emergence of the practice of buying and selling positions during the process. "This is similar to the practice of buying and selling positions in several cases that have been handled by the KPK," he said.
Ali confirmed that an individual who paid bribes to gain a certain position opened the potential for further corruption when that individual was in office. The KPK had arrested many state officials because their selection process involved bribery. Therefore, the KPK hoped that the selection process for acting regional heads would avoid the practice of buying and selling positions.
"It is also hoped that the elected acting officials and regional heads are qualified and have integrity to occupy positions that carry a mandate for public welfare," said Ali.
The regional finance director general at the Home Ministry, Agus Fatoni, said that this was an era of openness, transparency and accountability. For example, the planning and budgeting mechanisms for local administrations had been integrated with the Home Ministry’s Local Administration Information System (SIPD), which he claimed had closed any loopholes for acting regional heads and other officials to play with local budgets.
Supervision by various parties
According to Fatoni, it was not only the Home Ministry but also a number of other institutions that oversaw regional budgets. First were internal supervisors, which included the regional inspectorate and the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP). Second was the external supervisor, namely the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK). Third was supervision by the Regional Legislative Council (DPRD). Fourth were law enforcement agencies, namely the KPK, the National Police, and the prosecutor's office. Lastly were the media and society.
"So, neither regional heads nor acting regional heads or other acting officials can take money from the APBD because it is guarded and supervised by many parties. All must comply with the laws and regulations. If they still dare and [the budget] is corrupted, they will certainly have to deal with many parties," said Fatoni.
The acting officials must fear and not dare to do anything.
A former acting governor of North Sulawesi, Fatoni admitted that it was not easy to play around with the APBD. Apart from strict supervision and systems, acting regional heads were sometimes very busy with the regional agenda. Therefore, officials would focus more on working in line with the existing regional development plans.
“So, the acting officials must fear and not dare to do anything. Be assured, it's not an easy matter to break the rules. Moreover, it is easy to replace an acting regional head," said Fatoni.
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