Minister Dody likens the deep state at the Public Works Ministry to termites, vows to eradicate it

Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo confirmed President Prabowo Subianto’s remarks about a hidden state or secret networks, known as the deep state, within the Public Works Ministry. He said the deep state is like termites in wood that is still solid; if the wood is even slightly touched, it could collapse. ‘Take away? If you just nudge the wood, it will collapse, right? So too with the deep state; the bureaucracy is one of the three main pillars of statecraft, the pillar of the nation,’ he said. ‘There are strong armed forces, there are police, and capable intelligence. And do not forget, the most crucial is an incorruptible bureaucracy which is also strong. If one pillar weakens, the country collapses, regardless of whatever else is above it.’ He likened addressing the deep state in the Public Works Ministry to fumigating the wood. He explained this underpins his frequent replacement of officials. ‘For me, explaining the deep state in the Public Works Ministry is like likening termites inside the wood. How do you solve it? The wood is fumigated. If it’s severe, you replace it. That’s it. That’s why I repeatedly rotate the top echelon, and frequently change the middle management and down to department heads,’ he said. He added that priority government programmes that concern the public’s livelihood must not be compromised, though he remains confident many of his subordinates want to work correctly. ‘I am absolutely convinced, absolutely convinced, that out of 38,600 civil servants in the Public Works Ministry, there are still many who want to work properly and honestly,’ he said. President Prabowo Subianto had earlier mentioned the deep state in an interview at his Hambalang residence with two senior journalists and four analysts on Tuesday 17 March 2026. In that conversation, Prabowo said the fundamental problems of bureaucracy lie not only in systems but in culture and long-standing habits, noting, ‘We have found a deep state. There are directors-general who dare to oppose ministers. We have sacked many such directors-general. There are directors-general who feel untouchable. There are institutions that feel they should not be audited. This is not light work.’ Latest, the Jakarta High Prosecutor’s Office named three suspects in a corruption case involving the Directorate General of Water Resources and the execution of the Routine Budget at the Secretariat of the Directorate General of Cipta Karya of the Public Works Ministry. State losses in this case exceed Rp 16 billion. The three suspects are Dwi Purwantoro (DP), Director General of Water Resources from July 2025 to January 2026; Riono Suprapto (RS), Secretary to the Director General of Cipta Karya; and Adi Suadi (AS), a PPK official. All three have been detained.