Agriculture Minister Amran dismisses 13 officials over involvement in online gambling
Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman has permanently dismissed 13 echelon officials within the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) suspected of being involved in online gambling activities, which were deemed a breach of discipline and a stain on the integrity of the civil service.
Amran stated that the decision was made following a leadership meeting that commenced at 06:00 WIB, which included a discussion on the results of investigations into the officials concerned.
“We held a meeting starting at 6:00 this morning. Following the meeting, we took action against certain officials—I will not mention their specific echelon levels, just officials. We have dismissed 13 people because of indiscipline and involvement in online gambling. We have removed all 13 officials,” Amran said during a press conference in Jakarta on Monday.
According to Amran, the dismissals were carried out after the Ministry of Agriculture received reports regarding the alleged involvement of several officials in online gambling, which were subsequently verified thoroughly before a final decision was reached.
He emphasised that all officials proven to be directly involved have been permanently removed and requested that the Inspectorate General, alongside the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Agriculture, immediately prepare replacements to ensure that public services continue uninterrupted.
Amran noted that the 13 dismissed individuals were all echelon-level officials and that the process involved a thorough investigation until all supporting data was complete.
He asserted that the involvement of civil servants in online gambling cannot be tolerated as it contradicts religious values, public service ethics, and their responsibilities as public servants.
Amran stated that as civil servants, officials must set an example for the community; therefore, those proven to have committed violations are unfit to remain in their positions, even if they had been given prior opportunities to reform.
According to him, some of these officials had previously received coaching and warnings for similar violations but repeated their actions, making permanent dismissal the final option.
Amran emphasised that this firm policy serves as a form of disciplinary guidance to ensure employees realise the consequences of disciplinary breaches, while also serving as a warning to all personnel within the Ministry of Agriculture.
Amran suggested that such decisive action is actually a form of care for the future of the employees and their families, as every official must be guided to become responsible individuals.
“Because I feel for their children and their wives. Should I care more for their children than they do? This is proof of my care for them. I must be accountable for this,” Amram said.
“As their ‘father’ figure, I must guide them towards the right path. I must guide them so they become good human beings, good servants, and exemplary civil servants. Therefore, I am obligated to guide them,” Amran added.
Regarding allegations of corruption, Amran stated that this particular dismissal is not related to corruption cases, but purely due to involvement in online gambling activities.
He revealed that investigations showed some officials had gambling deposits or deposits approaching Rp200 million, which strengthened the basis for imposing permanent sanctions.
Amran assured that the dismissal of the 13 officials would not disrupt the performance of the Ministry of Agriculture, as the ministry employs approximately 52,000 personnel and all vacant positions will be immediately filled with replacements.