Leading Anti-Corruption Pledge, Social Affairs Minister Emphasises Importance of Integrity
The Ministry of Social Affairs must not become a place to seek profit from the suffering of the people, as the programmes managed are not merely projects, but the hopes of the poor, vulnerable groups, abandoned children, and the elderly, stated the Minister in a written statement on Monday (18/5/2026).
He emphasised that all of the government’s priority programmes, including ‘Sekolah Rakyat’, must be guarded against any form of corruption, such as procurement manipulation, markups, and the abuse of authority. The assembly was attended by all Ministry of Social Affairs employees, who wore black t-shirts themed ‘ASN Work Culture Transformation’ as a symbol of their commitment to a clean, professional, and service-oriented work culture.
Gus Ipul read the Anti-Corruption Pledge, which reaffirms the commitment to conducting the procurement of goods and services transparently, accountably, and in accordance with regulations. The pledge also includes a readiness to be audited by inspection agencies and the public, as well as a commitment to ensuring the President’s priority programmes remain free from corrupt practices. “Major corruption often begins with the overlooking of small matters,” he explained.
Gus Ipul also highlighted the vital role of Heads of Working Units (Satker) as the primary controllers and supervisors within their respective units. He stated that leaders must not remain hands-off regarding issues occurring within their work environments. He further requested that all procurement processes for goods and services be conducted on time, following correct procedures and specifications, with orderly administration, and remaining ready for audit at any time.
“Every procurement has a person in charge and follows clear stages. Everything is open to audit, whether by the Inspectorate General or external auditing agencies such as the BPK and BPKP,” he continued.
Regarding allegations of overpriced procurement, Gus Ipul ensured that the Inspectorate General is currently conducting a deep dive, ranging from the determination of budget ceilings and estimated prices to procurement mechanisms. The Ministry of Social Affairs is also conducting a comprehensive evaluation as part of continuous improvement.
“The results of the investigation will be followed up strictly, either through internal sanctions or by being referred to law enforcement if evidence of violations is found,” he asserted.
Furthermore, he stated that the Ministry of Social Affairs has coordinated with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to strengthen future procurement governance. Alongside Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono, Gus Ipul affirmed his readiness to be the first to report any indications of violations.
In closing his remarks, Gus Ipul urged all staff to maintain integrity, tolerate no corruption regardless of scale, strengthen supervision, and execute procurement in an orderly and accountable manner. “This position is temporary, but its impact can be long-lasting. Never trade honour for something incomparable. Let us prove that the Ministry of Social Affairs is a clean, high-integrity institution that is trusted by the people,” he concluded.