Ethics Council Urges Ombudsman RI to Collaborate Aggressively with Other Oversight Bodies

The Ethics Council of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia (ORI) hopes that the ORI will be more aggressive in collaborating with other oversight institutions, such as the Audit Board (BPK) and the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP).

The Chairman of the Ethics Council of the Ombudsman RI, Jimly Asshiddiqie, stated that the strengthening of collaboration should focus primarily on public services. “So that every year there is guidance for all state and government institutions. If necessary, we should request a national meeting once a year to be opened by the President,” Jimly said during a press conference in Jakarta on Monday.

He emphasised that the ORI is a vital institution and cannot remain passive or ‘hidden’ while performing its supervisory duties. In addition to collaborating with other agencies, he suggested that the Ombudsman should also build strong partnerships with the media to serve the public interest. “There must be no reports here requesting services in exchange for money; it must be zero rupiah. Civil society and the media must support the Ombudsman’s efforts to improve the quality of management and state governance,” he added.

Furthermore, the Ethics Council has imposed a sanction of Dishonorable Discharge (PTDH) on the inactive Chairman of the Ombudsman RI, Hery Susanto, after he was proven to have committed serious violations of the code of ethics and conduct of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia. This includes his designation as a suspect in an alleged corruption case involving the governance of nickel mining activities between 2013 and 2025. Currently, the official dismissal of Hery is awaiting the issuance of a presidential decree.