Contract Teacher in Probolinggo Named Suspect Over Multiple Job Positions; Parliament Criticises Prosecution Action

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SURABAYA – A contract teacher in Probolinggo, East Java, named Muhammad Misbahul Huda, has been named a suspect and detained simply for working part-time as a Village Local Facilitator (PLD). Misbahul Huda was designated as a suspect by the Probolinggo District Attorney’s Office due to his part-time work as a PLD.

Prosecutors argue that Misbahul committed a criminal act of corruption by receiving payment from two jobs, both of which were funded by the state budget. According to the prosecutor’s calculations, he is suspected of causing a loss of Rp118 million to the state due to this part-time work.

The Chairman of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Habiburokhman, expressed regret over the case. According to him, it is understandable that the teacher, Muhammad Misbahul Huda, was not aware of the prohibition against holding multiple jobs. He also highlighted the actions taken by the prosecutor’s office in this case.

“The prosecutor should have followed Article 36 of the new Criminal Code, which requires the element of intent (for criminal prosecution),” said Habiburokhman in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Even if it was a mistake, he believes that law enforcement officials should have only asked him to return one of his salaries to the state. As a legislator, he said that prosecutors should adhere to the principle that the paradigm of the new Criminal Code is no longer based on retributive justice, but rather on substantive, rehabilitative, and restorative justice.