House Commission II: Root causes of regional heads caught in sting operations must be addressed
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Chairman of DPR Commission II Dede Yusuf said that the prevalence of regional heads caught in sting operations (OTT) by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) should be viewed not merely in terms of the consequences, but the causes must also be addressed.
He expressed concern over the number of regional heads now embroiled in corruption cases, following the latest sting operation that ensnared Pemalang Regent Anom Widiyantoro.
Nevertheless, he believes there are many factors that lead regional heads to commit corruption, namely the high cost of politics, the powers of office, and regional heads’ income.
“Going forward, perhaps we need to consider studies on this. Otherwise, no one will want to run in regional elections because of the enormous costs and risks involved,” Dede said in Jakarta on Wednesday.
This, he said, leads regional heads to feel they must obtain a “return” on the political costs they incurred to contest the regional head elections (pilkada).
That factor, according to him, is then compounded by the powers vested in regional heads.
When such powers include the ability to regulate, orchestrate or make decisions conferring certain rights, it creates absolute authority that can lead to corruption.
Therefore, he said, the recruitment system for regional heads must be reformed, such as ensuring the cost of pilkada is not excessive.
“Someone seeking to run as a regional head should not be competing on funding, but genuinely competing on ideas,” he said.
KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo, speaking at the KPK’s Red and White Building in Jakarta on Wednesday, said the alleged payments received by the Pemalang Regent were linked to projects within the regional government as well as the practice of buying and selling official positions.
“The alleged receipts by the Regent relate to projects in Pemalang Regency. In addition, the payments received by the Regent are also suspected to be connected to the buying and selling of positions,” he said.