Ministry of Home Affairs: Integrity Leaders Do Not Violate Their Oath of Office
The Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri), through the Head of the Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM) Sugeng Hariyono, has emphasised that the integrity of a bureaucratic leader is demonstrated through words and deeds that refer to the oath and promise of office. He explained that in various forums, Kemendagri continues to remind regional heads not to violate the law, including committing criminal acts of corruption.
This was stated by Sugeng when he was a speaker at the Live Talk Show of BPSDM Kemendagri at the BPSDM Kemendagri Office, Jakarta, on Thursday (16/4/2026). The event, titled “Leadership with Integrity: Between the Temptations of Power and the Mandate of the People,” was broadcast live via the YouTube channel BPSDMTV Kemendagri.
“So simply, an integrity leader is one who does what he orders. He does what has been agreed upon for him. That is integrity,” he said.
Sugeng mentioned that the existence of regional heads caught in the Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) Handcuff Operation (OTT) serves as a reminder to many parties. BPSDM Kemendagri also continues to remind regional heads to stay away from such practices. This, for example, was conveyed in the Regional Heads Retreat forum, which featured speakers from the KPK, the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP), the Attorney General, the National Police Chief, and the Corruption Crime Eradication Corps (Kortas Tipikor).
“This from the material side is not lacking. It means it has been reminded in so many layers,” he explained.
In addition to the Regional Heads Retreat, BPSDM Kemendagri also carries out other efforts, such as education and training programmes (diklat), one of the materials of which concerns integrity. This activity targets Civil Servants (ASN) as well as members of the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD).
By understanding the importance of integrity, leaders are expected to apply that behaviour. “Because he understands, it is applied. Because he knows the risks, [so] he doesn’t do (corruption),” he explained.
In addition to Sugeng, the event was attended by two other speakers, namely Inspector General (Irjen) of Kemendagri Sang Made Mahendra Jaya and Deputy for Education and Public Participation of the KPK Wawan Wardiana.
In his explanation, Mahendra said that the integrity of a leader is inseparable from honesty and consistency towards the mandate entrusted. This includes honesty about the ability to lead, as well as understanding various laws and regulations related to duties and functions.
Therefore, he regrets the existence of regional heads caught in corruption with the reason of not understanding the regulations. According to him, that reason shows that the regional head in question is not responsible for the mandate or authority entrusted.
“When becoming a regional head, he doesn’t want to learn, what does that mean? He is not responsible for himself, he should be honest. He should have said from far away ‘Sir, I am not capable of being a regional head, don’t participate in the election’,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, Wawan expressed his concern over the existence of several regional heads caught in OTT some time ago. He emphasised that the eradication of corruption crimes in Indonesia still requires serious attention.
Wawan stressed that the eradication is not only the responsibility of the KPK, but also of all related parties, including the public. “We all should be so shocked when the CPI (Corruption Perception Index) is announced, not just the KPK, all ministries/institutions in Indonesia should be shocked because they should have the same attention there,” he explained.