KPK: Holiday Parcels for Civil Servants Constitute Gratification

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has stressed that giving holiday parcels or hampers to civil servants (ASN) and state officials related to their positions falls under the category of gratification. KPK Director of Gratification and Public Services Arif Waluyo, during a gratification control briefing at the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Kemenimipas) in Jakarta on Tuesday, stated that this provision is already regulated under gratification laws. According to Arif, the KPK also routinely issues circulars on gratification control ahead of religious holidays, such as Idul Fitri, Christmas, and Galungan. He explained that giving parcels from business partners to civil servants or state officials is prohibited. Meanwhile, gifts from colleagues are only permitted if they meet the requirements set out in KPK guidelines. Arif noted that there have been cases where holiday parcels from business partners were received and subsequently reported to the KPK. Under certain conditions, such items are declared state property, meaning the recipient must pay a replacement fee according to regulations if they wish to keep them. If the recipient does not want the items, the parcels can be returned to the sender. Arif made these remarks while answering a question from a vendor participating in the briefing about the possibility of giving hampers to clients as a means of maintaining good relations. He urged all goods and services providers not to give gratification to Ministry of Immigration and Corrections employees, as it could create a conflict of interest. ‘It can even be categorised as bribery if it meets the elements stipulated in the legislation,’ he said.