Manpower ministry breaks promise to stem corruption

Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea has failed to make good on his promise to rid his office of deep- rooted corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) practices, arguing instead that the practices were deeply-rooted and widespread.

"Stemming KKN is difficult. It is like a tangled thread. I cannot just fire all the employees who are involved in the practices as the ministry would lose nearly its entire staff," Jacob told reporters on the sidelines of a seminar over the weekend. He claimed that he knew many of his staff were involved in the practices.

However, he did not say whether they would face legal action.

"If we want to eradicate KKN, then it should start with the minister," he added.

From the moment he was appointed minister of manpower and transmigration, Jacob has consistently vowed to rid his ministry of KKN activities to ensure that all programs under his portfolio run properly.

However, he has apparently 'softened' his stance.

When asked whether he had conducted any internal investigations into staff members believed to be involved in the practices, he said they were not necessary.

"What we have to do now is ask them not to carry out KKN again and to enforce discipline," Jacob said.

Jacob further claimed that procedures within his ministry had already been improved in such a way as to prevent the practices.

"We just have to tighten up our supervision," Jacob said, without elaborating on the type of supervision he had in mind.