Minister of Public Works Denies Rumours of TNI Taking Over Cipta Karya and Water Resources Directorate Seats

BATANG, KOMPAS.com – The Minister of Public Works (PU), Dody Hanggodo, has strongly denied rumours of infiltration and political pressure to place figures from the TNI in strategic positions within the Ministry of Public Works.

The circulating news suggests that figures from the TNI element will replace the Director General of Water Resources (Dirjen SDA), Dwi Purwantoro, and the Director General of Cipta Karya, Dewi Chomistriana.

As is known, these two echelon I officials resigned, allegedly related to a Rp 1 trillion budget leak.

According to him, the process of filling echelon I positions in the Ministry of Public Works will continue to follow the corridors of civil talent management and the Civil Service Apparatus (ASN) regulations.

He strongly denied any intervention from external parties forcing him to nominate TNI officers for the Dirjen seats.

“There is no such pressure. I emphasise that the process of determining replacements is carried out professionally and based on competence. We need people who understand field technicalities and infrastructure management in depth,” said Dody.

Dody also asked the public not to speculate further and to give the Ministry of Public Works space to conduct internal selection.

However, one thing is certain: the Audit Board of Indonesia’s (BPK) Examination Results Report is a crucial point currently being addressed by Dody.

BPK’s initial findings for the 2005 to 2025 budget period indicate several anomalies in the management of national strategic projects, including contract administration issues and budget efficiency in several major regional offices.

“Water, dams, and infrastructure matters are technical issues that require high precision. Whoever fills those positions later, the main requirement is integrity and mastery of the field,” he added.

Apart from that, sharp criticism is often directed at this ministry regarding the slow execution of long-term projects.

With the definitive vacancy of these two key positions, Dody’s challenges are not only about addressing militarisation rumours but also proving that the civil bureaucracy in the Ministry of Public Works is capable of internal cleansing without losing its edge in the field.