DPR Claims Surge in Regional Head OTTs Reflects Improved Law Enforcement

Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission II, Bahtra Banong, has responded to the recent surge in sting operations (OTT) by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) that have ensnared numerous regional heads. A total of 15 regional leaders have been caught in OTTs during President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. Bahtra stated that the frequency of these operations reflects an increasingly improved law enforcement system under President Prabowo. He argued that this clean-up action aligns with President Prabowo’s consistent commitment to eradicating all forms of legal violations without discrimination. Bahtra stressed that any legal violations committed by regional officials must be dealt with firmly according to the applicable rules and mechanisms. He assessed that the commitment to legal reform under the current government has been running optimally and can be witnessed directly by the public. ‘In President Prabowo’s administration, we can witness that our law enforcement is getting better. Mr Prabowo is committed and consistent with his words that his government truly wants to prioritise ensuring law enforcement runs well and optimally,’ Bahtra told reporters at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday (16/7). Bahtra explained that Commission II of the DPR continues to coordinate intensively with the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri), which has direct authority in guiding regional heads. The focus of the guidance being pushed is not only related to the prevention of legal violations or corruption but also concerns the optimisation of public service performance. Commission II reiterated the fundamental essence of regional leadership, where governors, regents, and mayors have received a direct democratic mandate from the people. Therefore, their performance and programmes must be entirely oriented towards the welfare and progress of their respective regions. ‘We coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs at all times to continue providing guidance. Not only regarding legal violations, but most importantly, how the performance of our regional heads truly reflects that they have been elected by the people and must therefore do their best for the people’s interests, especially in their respective regions,’ concluded Bahtra.