Puan Maharani Highlights High Cost of Politics Behind Surge in Regional Head Arrests
DPR Chairwoman Puan Maharani has emphasised the urgency of a comprehensive evaluation of Indonesia’s political and oversight systems. This response comes in light of a series of Sting Operations (OTT) conducted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) against regional heads, including the recent case ensnaring the Regent and Vice-Regent of Rejang Lebong.
Puan views the proliferation of corruption cases at the regional level as a stark warning signal for the government and DPR to conduct an in-depth evaluation across all sectors. One crucial point she highlighted is the burden of political costs, which is strongly suspected to be a root cause of misuse of power.
“We must conduct a joint evaluation between the DPR and the government on this matter. Perhaps the cost of politics is too high, or how do we provide accountability education to all regional heads,” said Puan at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (10 March).
Moral Awareness and Accountability
According to Puan, strengthening oversight alone will not be sufficient without accompanying moral awareness from stakeholders at the regional level. She stressed that a culture of accountability must be viewed as personal responsibility, not merely a response to fear of strict oversight.
“How do we instil awareness in all regional heads that accountability is important. Not just for oversight, but how to develop awareness to mutually protect one another. So we must indeed evaluate all sectors on this matter,” Puan concluded.
KPK Sting Operation in Rejang Lebong
The KPK arrested Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari along with seven others in a covert operation on Monday (9 March) afternoon. This action is strongly suspected to be related to bribery practices involving the provision of project fees within the Rejang Lebong Regency Government.
Not only the regent, but the KPK investigation team also secured the Vice-Regent of Rejang Lebong, Hendri Praja. “Yes, he was one of those also detained,” confirmed KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo at KPK Red and White Building in Jakarta on Tuesday (10 March).
Budi added that both the regent and vice-regent are currently at the Red and White Building undergoing intensive questioning. Based on the Indonesian Code of Criminal Procedure (KUHAP), the KPK has 1 × 24 hours to determine the legal status of those caught in the operation.
The investigators are currently examining the flow of funds and details of the projects that are the subject of the case. In addition to arresting the senior officials, the investigation team also seized supporting evidence. The KPK has 1 × 24 hours to determine the legal status of those caught in the covert operation. The operation is strongly suspected to be related to bribery practices in project work in the region. Investigators from the anti-corruption agency also questioned several officials at the level of department heads and agency heads within the Pekalongan Regency Government.