Party Cadre Appoints Child as Department Head, PDIP Responds

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The controversy over Malang Regent HM Sanusi appointing his son as Head of the Environmental Office (DLH) of Malang Regency continues to attract public attention. It is known that HM Sanusi is a cadre of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

In response to the incident, PDI-P emphasised the importance of upholding principles of justice and meritocracy in filling public positions, amid the emerging issue of nepotism.

PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto reminded that political education can indeed begin in the family environment, but it should not justify unfair practices.

He also assessed that the step was ethically inappropriate.

“If in Javanese terms it’s ‘kurang elok’ – the father is regent, the child is department head,” Hasto said.

Furthermore, Hasto asked the PDIP Faction to criticise the policy so that it does not deviate from meritocracy principles.

“We ask the PDI Perjuangan Faction to criticise this matter. Because, no matter what, the meritocracy system must be built. We cannot prioritise things outside of that meritocracy,” he asserted.

“If everything is already in accordance with norms and rules, it is unfair to obstruct someone’s rights obtained through existing mechanisms. So, let it be examined by the competent authorities such as BKN or the Ministry of PANRB,” he stated.

However, he reminded that positions should not be obtained through deviant practices.

“What is not allowed is if the position is obtained due to kinship relations, cronyism, and exploiting power in ways that contradict the rules and existing mechanisms,” said Deddy.

“Indeed, ethically it will be difficult to avoid nepotism accusations, so perhaps it needs to be accounted for and properly audited,” he continued.

“Of course, I understand if the public questions the quality of public officials as public servants. I cannot give any response, except through performance,” he said.