Home Affairs Minister: Prevent Regional Corruption by Strengthening Systems and Integrity

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian believes that preventing corruption, which often involves regional leaders, cannot rely solely on oversight functions but must involve strengthening governance systems and the integrity of regional heads.

“What we can do for these regional heads is, first, we conduct a retreat. The aim is to strengthen their nationalism and integrity. Then we also provide initial briefings, including having the KPK present. The BPKP also attends to give input,” Tito said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.

The statement was made following a working meeting and hearing with Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday (16/7).

He explained that the Ministry of Home Affairs has built various oversight instruments, including the Regional Government Information System (SIPD), the formulation of Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD) guidelines, and a regional financial supervision system. In addition, the government, together with the KPK and the Attorney General’s Office, has developed a corruption prevention system through Monitoring, Controlling, Surveillance for Prevention (MCSP).

Nevertheless, he cautioned that no matter how well a system is built, it can still be circumvented. “But all these systems can potentially be outmanoeuvred in the field. There is gratification and so on. So, this comes back to the integrity of each regional head,” he said.

Thus, regional leaders have the impetus to improve regional fiscal performance without burdening the public.

“But this requires a study first. There needs to be discussion between ministries and government institutions, and if necessary, also with the DPR. Because this is an important decision,” he stated.