P2G Condemns School Uniform Corruption Case Involving Langkat Regent
The National Coordinator of the Association of Education and Teachers (P2G), Satriwan Salim, has condemned the alleged corruption case involving school uniforms that has implicated the Regent of Langkat, Syah Afandin. Satriwan believes the case is increasingly detrimental to parents amidst rising educational costs.
“As an organisation for education and teachers, we strongly condemn the occurrence of corruption regarding clothing, specifically school uniforms for primary, junior high, and subsequent levels. This clearly harms parents at a time when education costs remain high,” Satriwan stated in a press release on Sunday (5/7).
He agreed that corruption remains a spectre in national education governance, noting that many regional heads exploit education budgets as opportunities for corruption.
“It turns out that those enjoying the benefits of these uniforms are regional heads who take advantage of corruption niches within the procurement process,” he said.
He urged the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the Attorney General’s Office to continue monitoring procurement projects in the education sector and encouraged parents not to hesitate to report irregularities.
“Parents should not be afraid to report, because if corruption exists within the world of education, how can we build character, integrity, and honesty?” he added.
Satriwan urged law enforcement agencies to take firm action against all parties involved in the case.
“We urge law enforcement to be truly decisive in handling this case, so that the substantial education budget can truly fulfil the rights of students and teachers to achieve quality learning,” he said.
Afandin was previously caught in a sting operation (OTT) on Thursday (2/7). During the undercover operation, the KPK also discovered evidence of alleged criminal acts involving hundreds of millions of rupiah.
This evidence is suspected to be part of project fees provided by private parties to the Regent.
Afandin allegedly demanded fees or commissions ranging from 10 to 17 per cent from partners involved in projects within the Langkat Regency Government. These projects were primarily located within the Education Office and the Department of Settlements (Disperkim).
In addition to project bribes, the KPK also discovered other alleged receipts worth Rp3.5 billion, related to personnel mutations within the Education Office, the appointment of primary and junior high school principals, and the procurement of primary school uniforms.
For his actions, Afandin is facing charges under Article 12 letter a or letter d and/or Article 12B of Law Number 31 of 1999 in conjunction with Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning the Eradication of Corruption.