Headmaster Position Trading Scandal in Makassar: Six Victims Report to DPRD

A dark practice within the Makassar City Education Department in South Sulawesi has been exposed following a viral video confession by a headmaster who was asked to hand over tens of millions of rupiah to secure a position at a strategic, or so-called ‘lucrative’, school. To date, six headmasters have officially reported the matter to the Makassar Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), and the number of victims is predicted to continue growing.

The case surfaced following an open confession from Suryama, Head of UPT SPF SD Inpres Malimongan Baru. In a widely circulated video, Suryama revealed that a payment of Rp30 million was demanded to smooth the process of his appointment. He claimed he was directed to contact an individual with the initials AT, who serves as a Supervisory Board member of the Makassar Regional Water Company (PDAM), before the money was ultimately entrusted to the Head of the Teachers and Education Personnel Division (GTK) of the Makassar Education Department, Muh Yunus Sanusi.

Suryama disclosed that the method used was highly structured. He even claimed to have personally seen an envelope containing the money stored in the desk drawer of the relevant official prior to his inauguration. Besides himself, Suryama mentioned that around 20 other headmasters had gathered to complain about similar issues, indicating that this practice occurred on a massive scale.

However, the courage to speak out has been shadowed by threats. Suryama admitted receiving warning messages from colleagues urging him to be wary of potential retaliation or intimidation from the parties involved. In response, the Makassar DPRD has stressed that it will provide full protection to the whistleblowers so that the case can be thoroughly investigated without pressure.

Makassar Mayor Munafri Arifuddin has instructed the Inspectorate to conduct a comprehensive examination of all names implicated in the scandal. The focus of the investigation includes indications of bribery, illegal levies, extortion, and gratuities. If found guilty, the officials involved face severe sanctions, including dismissal, in accordance with Government Regulation Number 94 of 2021 on Civil Servant Discipline.

The Chairperson of Commission D of the Makassar DPRD, Ari Ashari Ilham, expressed his commitment to overseeing the case. ‘We are opening the widest possible complaint channels for headmasters who feel they have been disadvantaged. We are currently holding a Hearing Meeting, but we do not rule out the formation of a Special Committee if the city government’s handling is deemed inadequate,’ he asserted.

This scandal serves as a test for the integrity of education governance in Makassar. The public is now waiting for firm action from the Inspectorate and law enforcement officials to clean up the practice of trading positions that damages the dignity of the education sector.