Ethics Council Suggests Rotating Oversight Responsibilities for Ombudsman Members
The Ethics Council of the Indonesian Ombudsman (ORI) has suggested that the oversight sectors assigned to ORI members should be rotated or changed during their five-year terms.
Jimly Asshiddiqie, Chairman of the ORI Ethics Council, stated that this recommendation aims to prevent members from developing specific interests in a single sector, as seen in the case of Hery Susanto during his 2021-2026 term. “There should be rotation; one should not focus solely on mining for the entire five-year term,” Jimly said during a press conference in Jakarta on Monday. He expressed hope that this suggestion would be implemented by the newly elected ORI leadership to improve the institution’s performance.
The Ethics Council has imposed a sanction of dishonorable discharge (PTDH) on Hery following proven serious violations of the Indonesian Ombudsman’s code of ethics and conduct. The violations included bias, premeditated intent, repetitive actions, and negative impacts on the work unit, the institution, the state, and the public. Currently, Hery’s dismissal is officially awaiting a presidential decree.
“Public service oversight must continue. The focus should be on improving performance with a new commitment,” Jimly added. He also stated that he would not interfere in the selection process for the new ORI leadership, leaving the decision entirely to the President and the House of Representatives (DPR RI).
The dishonorable discharge of Hery is linked to his designation as a suspect in an alleged corruption case involving nickel mining business management between 2010 and 2015. Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, Director of Investigation at the Attorney General’s Office’s Special Crimes Division (Jampidsus), stated that Hery allegedly committed these crimes while serving as an ORI member. Investigators obtained sufficient evidence through searches and other investigative measures. It is alleged that PT TSHI attempted to collude with Hery Susanto, and in exchange, Hery received funds from the director of the company.