Ministry of Social Affairs Temporarily Suspends Two Officials Over Procurement Issues

The two officials temporarily relieved of their duties are the Head of the Goods and Services Procurement Service Section, acting as the Commitment Making Official, and the Head of the Equipment and State Assets Subsection. Gus Ipul emphasised that this decision is part of efforts to maintain the objectivity and effectiveness of the ongoing investigation process. “In connection with these needs, also for the smooth running of the aforementioned deepening process, and for the smooth running of subsequent procurement processes, I am temporarily relieving them of their positions,” said Gus Ipul during a press conference quoted in a press release on Wednesday (13/5/2026). He added that this step is also part of a comprehensive evaluation to improve the governance of goods and services procurement going forward. “Everything we have done becomes part of the evaluation to improve procurement in 2026,” he stated. In addition, Gus Ipul has asked the Secretary General, Robben Rico, to immediately carry out budget rationalisation and strengthen the procurement team’s capacity, and has tasked the Acting Inspector General, Dody Sukmono, with continuing the deepening process as well as conducting evaluations and investigations. Previously, a special team led by the Deputy Minister of Social Affairs, Agus Jabo Priyono, had conducted clarifications for one week on the 2025 shoe procurement process. In his statement, Agus Jabo conveyed that overall, the procurement process had followed procedures, but there were several important notes. “Overall, the procurement process has been carried out in accordance with the applicable procedures and mechanisms,” he said. Nevertheless, the team found potential maladministration that needs further investigation. “Based on the results of clarifications on the goods and services procurement process, it was found that there is a large procurement volume, time limitations, and human resource limitations, thus there is potential for maladministration,” said Agus Jabo. Furthermore, he emphasised that further deepening is needed to ensure whether there is any inaccuracy in the process. “Thus, deepening is needed to ensure whether there are inaccuracies in the goods and services procurement process,” he stated. As a corrective step, the temporary suspension of the two officials underscores the Ministry of Social Affairs’ commitment to maintaining the integrity of a transparent and accountable procurement process, while ensuring the deepening process runs without obstacles. In addition, the investigation by the Inspectorate General is still ongoing to trace the potential maladministration identified by the special team. The Ministry of Social Affairs has affirmed that every finding will be followed up proportionally, either through administrative sanctions or law enforcement if violations are found, and will serve as a basis for strengthening more accountable, transparent, and professional procurement governance in the future.