Minister of Public Works Highlights Civil Servants Living in Elite Areas of Senopati and Pondok Indah, Alludes to 'Income' Issues

Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo has highlighted the situation of civil servants (ASN) in his ministry, whom he believes do not reflect the true economic conditions. He noted that some employees appear simple but own assets in elite areas such as Senopati and Pondok Indah.

“In my own ministry, the civil servants look poor, right? Yet most of their houses are in Senopati, in Pondok Indah,” Dody stated to journalists during a working visit to Karanganyar, Central Java, some time ago.

“That’s a fact. I’m speaking facts. Because I’m not making it up,” he continued.

Dody raised this point while explaining the internal conditions being faced in the ministry’s reform process. He mentioned that there are parties who still wish to maintain the old status quo and resist change.

“As far as I know, the old-timers who actually still want things to remain as they were before. They don’t want any changes for the better for the nation and state. They’re comfortable with their income, with their positions,” Dody said.

According to him, the primary factor these parties wish to preserve is not their positions, but their income. “The important thing, the first priority is the income, not the position,” he stated.

He also linked this resistance to the impacts felt when reform efforts are pursued. Dody believes that changes affecting certain income sources provoke reactions from the involved parties.

“I think yes (they are disturbed). If not, why am I being attacked? That’s impossible. Why attack me? It’s odd,” he said.

Previously, Dody also alluded to internal dynamics affecting the progress of reforms in the institution. He used the term “deep state” to describe parties perceived to have behind-the-scenes influence in the bureaucracy.

It is known that recently, allegations of corruption crimes (tipikor) in the Ministry of Public Works (PU) have emerged regarding the construction project of the Cipta Karya building or pendopo in the ministry complex. This case is under investigation and is still at the investigation stage.

Additionally, findings from an audit by the Financial Audit Board (BPK) indicate potential state losses initially amounting to around Rp3 trillion, later revised to about Rp1 trillion following further audits. These findings are being followed up by the Inspectorate General, and during the process, two officials at the director general level chose to resign.