Public Works Minister Explains Sequence of Events Behind Two Directors-General's Resignations

Jakarta — Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo has addressed reports of the recent resignations of two directors-general: the Director-General of Water Resources and the Director-General of Creation of Works.

The departures occurred following indications of state financial losses at the Public Works Ministry, as identified by the State Audit Board (BPK).

Hanggodo explained that his ministry received two letters from the BPK regarding findings of state financial losses. The first letter, sent in January 2025, noted findings of nearly Rp3 trillion in losses. “The BPK sent me two letters, one in January 2025 and another in August 2025. In January 2025, if I recall correctly, the state financial losses were noted at nearly Rp3 trillion,” Hanggodo stated during a statement in Semarang, Central Java, on Monday, 2 March 2026.

Following the first letter, Hanggodo instructed the Secretary-General and Inspector-General to follow up with a target completion date of June 2025. However, this deadline was not met.

“Then the second letter from the BPK reached me in August 2025. There, it was conveyed that the state financial losses had decreased to approximately Rp1 trillion, down from the initial nearly Rp3 trillion,” Hanggodo continued.

Subsequently, Hanggodo and his team established an ad-hoc committee and teams within each work unit to accelerate the recovery of state losses caused by third parties. However, there was again no follow-up from the Inspector-General and Secretary-General. “We formed an ad-hoc council and teams within work units to expedite recovery of state losses caused by third parties. But again, there was no further follow-up from the Inspector-General and Secretary-General. That is why I took over and we will form new teams in each work unit so that recovery of state losses can be faster,” he explained.

Additionally, Hanggodo reactivated the Audit Committee within his ministry. He stated this was necessary because not all ministry personnel are above reproach. In forming the new teams, he received assistance from three individuals from the Attorney General’s office, whom he characterised as “clean brooms” to investigate.

“The Attorney General sent three clean brooms to my office, and when I used these clean brooms to start working, those individuals chose to resign. That is roughly how it happened,” he said.

However, Hanggodo denied that the resignations were sudden, noting that internal processes had been conducted beforehand. “So it cannot be said that the resignations were sudden. Nor can it be said that there was no prior process,” he stated.

Hanggodo said the audit process continues under his coordination. He acknowledged that not all auditors in the Inspector General’s office have worked optimally, but he maintains the presumption of innocence. He also reported all steps taken to the President, both verbally and in writing.

“We continue to uphold the presumption of innocence. But because the echelon 1 positions are appointed and formed by President Prabowo, whatever I do must first receive direction and guidance from the President before I decide,” he explained.