Bima Mayor Appoints Wife, In-Law, and Cousin to City Government Posts

The Government of Bima City has provided an explanation regarding Mayor A Rahman, also known as Aji Man, who appointed his wife and other family members to official positions. The family members appointed include his wife as Secretary of the Bima City Health Office, his brother-in-law as Head of the General Affairs Division of the City Regional Secretariat, and his cousin as Head of the Procurement of Goods and Services Division of the Regional Secretariat. The Bima City Government stressed that these appointments were made simultaneously with 87 other officials based on a meritocracy system. “This was done solely to meet organisational needs while increasing the effectiveness of governance and public services,” stated Bima City Government Spokesperson, Muhammad Hasyim, in a press release on Friday (3/7). Hasyim explained that the entire process of filling positions and every official appointment was carried out through civil service mechanisms and in accordance with laws and regulations. The assessment was also based on competence, qualifications, experience, track record, and integrity, as well as organisational needs, not on any considerations outside the provisions. He asserted that a person’s family relationship cannot be used as a reason to grant privileges nor to eliminate the rights of a state civil apparatus (ASN) to participate in the job promotion process. All ASN have equal rights as long as they meet the requirements. “As long as they fulfil the administrative requirements, possess competence, loyalty, integrity, and are deemed capable of carrying out the duties, every ASN has an equal opportunity to be considered for a position,” Hasyim clarified. Hasyim emphasised that the Bima City Government continues to uphold the principles of professionalism, objectivity, transparency, and the merit system in ASN management. He also stressed that the inauguration is not the end of the assessment process for an official. “The newly appointed officials will be measured based on performance achievements, service quality, and the responsibilities they carry out after assuming their positions,” Hasyim said. He invited the public of Bima City to oversee the performance of the newly appointed ASN to prove their capabilities through their work. If an ASN fails to meet the mandated performance targets, an evaluation will be conducted and they can be dismissed from their position according to the applicable mechanism. “The Bima City Government views public oversight as an important part of realising a professional and service-oriented bureaucracy. We provide space for the public to convey criticism and input objectively and constructively,” Hasyim explained. It was previously reported that Bima Mayor A Rahman, alias Aji Man, came under the spotlight after appointing his wife, Badrah Ekawati, as Secretary of the Bima City Health Office. Besides his wife, Aji Man also appointed his brother-in-law, M Auwalyah, as Head of the General Affairs Division of the City Regional Secretariat. The inauguration and oath-taking for his wife and brother-in-law were conducted simultaneously with 87 other officials at the Maja Labo Dahu Hall of the Bima City Government on Wednesday (1/7). Previously, Aji Man was also known to have appointed his cousin, Irwansyah, as Head of the Procurement of Goods and Services Division of the Regional Secretariat.