ICW Suspects PU Ministry ASN Transfers Linked to Dody Document Leak, Urges BKN Intervention

Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) believes the transfer of civil servants (ASN) within the Ministry of Public Works (PU) requires serious attention. ICW suspects the policy is connected to the leak of Minister Dody Hanggodo’s official travel plan to the United States, which circulated on social media and drew public scrutiny because it included the minister’s wife and child in the entourage. ICW’s Public Education Division Coordinator, Nisa Zonzoa, stated that while transfers are the prerogative of a minister, their implementation must be based on the merit system, organisational needs, and objective reasons. “The ASN transfers at the PU Ministry are reasonably suspected to be related to the leak of Minister Dody Hanggodo’s official travel plan to the United States, which circulated on social media, where his wife and child were included in the trip,” Nisa said in a statement received by Media Indonesia on Sunday (19/7). She emphasised that the authority to transfer staff must not be used arbitrarily, especially after allegations of a violation have surfaced. “On one hand, ASN transfers are indeed the minister’s authority, but they must be based on the merit system, institutional needs, and objective reasons. When transfers are carried out after allegations of a violation emerge, it is reasonable to suspect an attempt at silencing and an abuse of authority,” she said. According to Nisa, the government must ensure the entire transfer process is conducted transparently to avoid the perception that the policy is a form of retaliation against ASNs who exposed the alleged misconduct. ICW also stressed the importance of protecting whistleblowers within the bureaucracy. Nisa stated that such protection is a key prerequisite for creating an accountable and high-integrity governance system. “Whistleblower protection is an important prerequisite for realising an accountable and high-integrity bureaucracy. Without adequate protection, ASNs will be reluctant to report suspected violations for fear of career repercussions and other pressures,” she said. She warned that if ASNs feel that reporting poses a risk to their careers, practices of corruption, abuse of authority, and conflicts of interest will become increasingly difficult to uncover. Consequently, ICW is urging the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform (KemenPAN-RB) and the National Civil Service Agency (BKN) to oversee the transfer process. “KemenPAN-RB and BKN need to ensure the transfer process remains guided by the merit system, evaluate if there are indications of retaliatory action against the reporter, and strengthen the whistleblower protection mechanism within the ASN environment,” she stated. Nisa further asserted that strengthening bureaucratic integrity is achieved not only by taking action against corruptors but also by providing protection to ASNs who dare to expose suspected irregularities. ICW also criticised Minister Dody Hanggodo’s response to the controversy, advising him to stop making arrogant statements that create a defensive impression and suggest arbitrary behaviour.