Replacement Candidates for Two Directors-General at Public Works Ministry to Undergo Fit and Proper Test
Jakarta — The wave of bureaucratic reform within Indonesia’s Ministry of Public Works (PU) has entered a new phase. Following the resignations of Director-General of Creation Dewi Chomistriana and Director-General of Water Resources Dwi Purwantoro, Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo has pledged that the selection process for these positions will be conducted through a strict and transparent fit and proper test mechanism.
This approach is intended to ensure that succession for these two vital directorates is filled by figures who are not only technically competent but also possess impeccable integrity in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive.
“The process is still ongoing. There is still a fit and proper test that I am conducting personally with my team, but it is not yet complete. Hopefully within one or two months I will be able to submit my recommendations to the President,” Dody told Kompas.com in Semarang on Sunday (1 March 2026).
The tightened selection process stems from Dody’s concern that the internal “cleansing” has not been entirely thorough. Dody has even engaged personnel from the Attorney General’s office to assist in the audit and selection process to ensure that no further corruption remains at senior leadership levels.
Internal tensions at the Public Works Ministry have persisted since early 2025. Dody revealed that the Financial Audit Board (BPK) has issued two stern warnings regarding findings of budget irregularities. “The BPK sent letters to me twice. In January 2025, they cited state losses of nearly Rp3 trillion. I gave until July 2025 for follow-up action, but there was no response from the Secretary-General or the Inspector-General at that time,” Dody stated seriously.
The slow response from internal bureaucracy prompted the Minister to assume direct command of the cleansing operation. Dody analogised the cleansing as cutting off the head of the snake, not merely its tail. He acknowledged his distress because the “cleansing tool” he had been using, the Inspector-General’s office, was allegedly not entirely clean.
“I cannot clean my house if my soap is dirty. I see that even the Inspector-General’s office is not entirely clean,” he insisted.
He noted that the process resulted from preliminary audit data that he presented directly to those involved. “When I presented the preliminary data, they chose to resign. This aligns with the President’s direction: if you cannot maintain clean hands, step down or be forcibly removed,” he added.
To ensure transparency, the Public Works Minister has established a special team he calls the “clean broom” (lidi bersih). This team is strengthened by three personnel directly seconded from the Attorney General’s office.
“I have given 90 days. If the Rp1 trillion in irregularities does not quickly reduce or is not returned, I myself will refer this case to law enforcement authorities. I cry when I think of that Rp1 trillion figure—imagine how many bridges and roads we could build for our people,” Dody said with tears in his eyes.