Minister of Public Works Suspects Irregularities: Public Works Civil Servants Able to Buy Houses in Pondok Indah

Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo has spoken candidly about the questionable wealth of some of his subordinates, which appears disproportionate to their income profiles as civil servants (PNS). For instance, he cited several officials in the Ministry of Public Works who have managed to purchase homes in Jakarta’s elite districts, such as Pondok Indah, where land prices exceed hundreds of millions of rupiah per square metre. “How could a career official afford property assets in elite areas like Pondok Indah and Senopati?” Dody stated when met in Jakarta, as quoted on Tuesday (31/3/2026). Dody explained that, based on logical calculations of savings from salaries and all allowances for civil servants in the Ministry of Public Works over many years, it would be highly improbable for the officials in question to own homes in Pondok Indah or Senopati. “This is not merely a lifestyle issue, but an indication of indirect income from projects that have not been subjected to thorough audits,” Dody revealed. In all honesty, Dody also admitted that the institution he leads is a fertile ground attracting officials to engage in illegal activities and enrich themselves. Such “wet” positions occur due to the authority over massive budgets. As an example, he alluded to a Rp 100 billion budget leakage in the renovation of the ministry’s pendopo building. Although the case is finalised and being handled by law enforcement authorities (APH), the leaked funds have yet to be returned. Furthermore, there are findings from the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) regarding indications of state losses up to Rp 1 trillion, implicating top leadership in the Directorate General of Cipta Karya and Water Resources (SDA). According to him, these echelon officials are suspected of feeling their positions are more permanent than those of ministers, who are transitional political appointees. He accused several senior bureaucrats of no longer being mere policy implementers, but architects of networks controlling information flows, technical regulations, and closed procurement schemes shielded from external supervision. Some internal officials in the Ministry of Public Works are also indicated to be deliberately engaging in negative framing to corner him. “There is a strong tendency among the old guard to maintain the status quo,” Dody said.