KPK Chief Stresses Integrity as Foundation for Patriot Expedition Team 2026
The Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Setyo Budiyanto, has affirmed that integrity is the principal foundation every member of the 2026 Patriot Expedition Team (TEP) must possess. He delivered this message at the Send-off Ceremony for the 2026 Patriot Expedition Team, organised by the Ministry of Transmigration at Balai Kartini, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 29 July 2026.
“This is a trust given to us by the state, so we must truly safeguard it and carry it out as well as possible. It is not merely about uniforms or assignment letters — this is a trust bestowed upon us that we must fulfil to the greatest extent possible,” said KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto.
According to Setyo, the participation of university students in the 2026 Patriot Expedition Team is not simply about carrying out a community service programme. They bear the mandate and trust of the state to deliver tangible benefits to communities in transmigration areas, meaning every task they undertake must be grounded in a sense of responsibility and integrity.
Setyo further explained that integrity should not be understood merely as avoiding corrupt behaviour, but as an essential requirement for realising the goals of the state. Through performing their duties with integrity, participants are expected to bring protection, welfare, better education, and social justice to communities in transmigration areas.
“Integrity is how the state fulfils its promises. Our obligation, as those given the opportunity to carry out this Patriot Expedition, is to execute it with full integrity,” he said.
Setyo also reminded participants not to treat local communities merely as objects of data collection. In his view, the Patriot Expedition Team must be capable of producing solutions born from an understanding of conditions on the ground, local culture, and the knowledge held by communities.
“Do not treat communities merely as sources of data. Science is important, technology is important, data is important, but local knowledge must matter as well,” he stressed.
In addition, he emphasised the importance of maintaining objectivity in compiling data and recommendations. He noted that every piece of information gathered would form the basis for policy-making, and therefore must be presented honestly, accurately, and as it truly is.
“That data will greatly influence the decisions made by the Minister. Present it as it is — not forced, not engineered, and certainly not made to order,” he said.
The 2026 Patriot Expedition Team is a Ministry of Transmigration programme involving 1,476 students from various universities, who will be deployed to 53 transmigration areas across Indonesia for four months. Through the programme, participants are expected to generate innovative ideas whilst assisting communities in supporting the development and transformation of transmigration areas.