LBH Masyarakat Appreciates Ministry of Immigration and Corrections' Action Against 774 Rogue Employees: Serious Commitment
The Legal Aid Institute (LBH Masyarakat) has appreciated the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Kemenimipas) for conducting an internal clean-up within its ranks. LBH Masyarakat has urged Kemenimipas to remain committed to this overhaul.
“In principle, we support and certainly appreciate any efforts aimed at internal reform or clean-up, provided there is a serious commitment to prosecuting those who commit violations,” said Advocate from LBH Masyarakat, Ma’ruf Bajammal, when contacted on Tuesday (5/5/2026).
Ma’ruf called on Kemenimipas to implement changes to ensure that incidents involving hundreds of employees committing violations do not recur.
“Nevertheless, if the clean-up actions are merely reactive, targeting specific rogue elements without fundamental changes, it will not lead to significant reform; it will simply repeat and recur,” he said.
“Therefore, we believe that the clean-up must be accompanied by policy changes in the management of corrections,” he added.
He also highlighted the numerous issues in corrections related to drug cases. He proposed that the government revise its policies on drug cases.
“Drug cases consistently dominate the corrections system, as the majority of prison inmates are drug offenders. Therefore, in addition to eradicating rogue elements involved, the government must also reform its current drug policies. One approach is to undertake changes or reforms in our narcotics policy,” he said.
“For example, shift the paradigm from one focused on punishment—meaning everyone involved in drugs must be imprisoned—to other approaches, such as health-based interventions or others aligned with human rights,” he continued.
He assessed that if these measures are implemented alongside the internal clean-up, violations will not recur.
“One of them is to pursue decriminalisation regarding the use and utilisation of narcotics. If this is done in tandem with cracking down on rogue elements, it can address the issues, preventing them from recurring,” he stated.
It is known that the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections has undertaken an internal overhaul. Hundreds of civil servants have been disciplined for various reasons, including indiscipline.
The Ministry of Immigration and Corrections previously revealed that since its formation at the end of 2024 until now, a total of 23 employees have been handed over for criminal processing. Dozens of rogue elements were referred to the police and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN).
“We reiterate the commitment of the Minister (Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto) that we will not tolerate any criminal practices from within (prisons), no matter how small. The total number of rogue employees from both Corrections and Immigration whom we have handed over to the National Police and BNN for criminal prosecution is already 23,” said Inspector General of the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections Yan Sultra Indrajaya to detikcom on Thursday (30/4).
Yan Sultra stated that one form of commitment to eradicating crime in prisons is the cooperative and transparent attitude of the technical implementation units (UPT) under its command. Upon receiving information from law enforcement authorities (APH), the heads of UPT fully support enforcement efforts.
“We emphasise that the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, in this context Corrections, has been directed by the Minister to always be ready to cooperate and open if there are suspicions (of criminal practices in prisons) involving inmates or detainees in any case, especially those involving employees,” he stressed.
Of the 23 rogue employees handed over, 22 are from Corrections and one from Immigration.
Minister of Immigration and Corrections’ Directives
Previously reported, Minister Agus Andrianto stressed with emphasis that prisons must be free from drug circulation to extortion (pungli). He underscored the importance of a total reset to form a new face for prisons.
“This is a fundamental reset button moment that demands we work with a new paradigm. We must not allow the public, or even ourselves, to feel that the establishment of this ministry and all the programmes we have launched bring no change. It should not still be marred by drug use, circulation, scams controlled from within prisons and detention centres, extortion, or even torture by rogue employees,” said Agus in a speech at the 62nd Corrections Day event in Tangerang on Monday (27/4).
Agus stated that not only inmates, but also officers who violate rules and are lazy at work will be transferred to Nusakambangan. As many as 365 employees have been relocated to Nusakambangan for guidance.
“Not only inmates, but employees involved in extortion, those proven to violate standard operating procedures, and detected as slacking off at work. We conduct guidance at Nusakambangan. So far, 365 employees have undergone mental and discipline training on Nusakambangan Island,” he said.