Social Affairs Minister Ensures Strict Action Against Violations in People's School Procurement

This affirmation was conveyed after the special team submitted clarifications at the Ministry of Social Affairs office on Wednesday (13/5). The special team, tasked with thoroughly examining the procurement of goods and services for the People’s School, consists of the Inspectorate General (Itjen) of the Ministry of Social Affairs and is directly led by Agus Jabo. The team was formed a week ago on the directive of the Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos), Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul), to conduct an in-depth internal audit of the People’s School procurement process. “If any aspects of legal violations are found, the handling will be referred to the relevant law enforcement authorities,” stated Agus Jabo in his remarks on Wednesday (13/5/2026). Agus Jabo explained that the special team has clarified documents related to the mechanisms and teams involved in the procurement of People’s School shoes. In general, he said, the procurement process has been carried out in accordance with applicable procedures and mechanisms. However, Agus Jabo revealed that based on the clarification results, the special team found potential maladministration in the procurement process for students’ shoes in the People’s School for 2025. “Based on the clarification of the goods and services procurement process, it was determined that there was a large procurement volume, time limitations, and limited human resources, thus creating potential for maladministration,” he disclosed. Therefore, Agus Jabo added, the special team needs to conduct further in-depth investigation to ensure whether there are inaccuracies in the goods and services procurement process, or the possibility of discrepancies between planning and realisation. He emphasised that the Ministry of Social Affairs will not hesitate to impose sanctions if problems in the procurement process are indeed proven. “If the aforementioned issues are later found as suspected, the relevant parties will be held accountable in accordance with applicable provisions and disciplinary sanctions will be imposed on the involved employees,” he asserted. Furthermore, Agus Jabo stated that the issue of alleged price markups in the shoe procurement has become an important evaluation for the Ministry of Social Affairs in managing the procurement of goods and services. Thus, in the future, it will be even more meticulous, accountable, transparent, and professional. A firm stance was also demonstrated by Gus Ipul through the temporary suspension of two officials related to the goods and services procurement process within the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos). This step was taken to ensure the smooth progress of the in-depth process regarding the findings from the internal evaluation. It is known that the two officials temporarily relieved of duties are the Head of the Goods and Services Procurement Services Section as the Commitment Making Officer, and the Head of the Equipment and State Property Subsection. Gus Ipul emphasised that this decision is part of efforts to maintain the objectivity and effectiveness of the ongoing investigation process. “In connection with these needs, also for the smoothness of the aforementioned in-depth process, as well as for the smoothness of subsequent procurement processes, I am temporarily relieving them of their positions,” he said. He added that this step is simultaneously part of a comprehensive evaluation to improve the management of goods and services procurement going forward. “Everything we have done becomes one part of the evaluation to improve procurement in 2026,” he stated. In addition, Gus Ipul also requested the Secretary General, Robben Rico, to immediately carry out budget rationalisation and strengthen the procurement team’s capacity.