Immigration and Corrections Minister Warns Staff: ‘One Person’s Misconduct Affects Everyone’

Immigration and Corrections Minister Agus Andrianto has warned corrections staff about the damage misconduct by individuals can cause to the institution. If one person strays, everyone suffers the consequences, he said.

“Remember, colleagues: if one person does it, the others are affected too. It is unfair to those who have tried to do the right thing,” Agus said in a video posted to his Instagram account on Thursday (15 October 2026), as cited by detikcom.

Agus appeared exasperated by the behaviour of some employees. “That is why, as I said earlier, if necessary, ‘hit’ those who refuse to change,” he added.

He said performance reviews had been held repeatedly, and that he had often reminded corrections employees that they must feel a sense of ownership over the institution and take responsibility for protecting it.

“For the umpteenth time, we have reviewed and analysed several incidents that continue to occur across the corrections service,” Agus said.

“I have said time and again that the Inspector General, the Director General and I are only passing through. This institution belongs to you,” he told corrections staff.

He called for greater unity and solidarity among employees, so that those making a serious effort to improve could support and respect one another.

“Please, colleagues. Think of those who are trying to do their jobs well. I am sure many of you have been doing your best, providing guidance and rehabilitation to people in custody and detainees,” Agus said.

He also highlighted the policy of decentralising food procurement, saying this authority had been delegated to regional offices from the start of his tenure. The same applied to the management of telephone services, canteens and cooperatives.

“We have delegated all of this authority. For example, for food supplies for people in detention centres and prisons, I asked you to work with local businesses. If that is not what happens in practice, do not blame me,” he said.

“The canteen and cooperative surplus goes to employees. The same applies to canteens and telephone services. These are opportunities for you to improve your welfare, and they can be realised,” he added.

Agus said professional and transparent management of food supplies and cooperatives could improve the welfare of prison and detention-centre staff. He urged the Directorate General of Corrections and its staff to use recent cases of misconduct that have attracted public attention as an opportunity to reform.

“My hope is that you can improve your welfare without engaging in misconduct that ultimately harms you,” Agus said.

“I care about the corrections institution, which has been trying to improve, but it is still being tarnished by the actions of some employees, with consequences for all of us. Recent events should be a turning point for improving and strengthening governance,” he concluded.