KPK Reminds Civil Servants That Holiday Gift Parcels 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. Director of Gratification and Public Services at the KPK, Arif Waluyo, stated during a gratification control socialisation event at the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Kemenimipas) that this provision is regulated under gratification laws. According to Arif, the KPK 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 not permitted. Meanwhile, gifts from colleagues are only allowed if they meet the requirements set out in the KPK’s guidelines. Arif noted there have been cases where parcels from business partners were received and subsequently reported to the KPK. Under certain conditions, the items are designated as state property, meaning recipients who wish to keep them must pay a replacement fee in accordance with the regulations. If the recipient does not wish to keep the items, he said, the parcels can be returned to the sender. This explanation was given by Arif in response to a question from a vendor participating in the socialisation event about the possibility of giving hampers to clients as a way of maintaining good relations. Arif urged all goods and service providers not to give gratification to employees of the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, as it could potentially create a conflict of interest. ‘It can even be categorised as bribery if it meets the elements stipulated in the laws and regulations,’ he said.