Social Affairs Ministry Partners with ICW to Prevent Corruption in 'Sekolah Rakyat' Programme

Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul, and Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono visited the Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) office to discuss preventing corruption in the procurement of goods and services, particularly within the Sekolah Rakyat programme.

“We had a lengthy discussion with the same spirit in mind. President Prabowo’s strategic programmes must not be tainted by corrupt practices. So, everything ICW has conveyed is extremely valuable input for the Ministry of Social Affairs,” said Gus Ipul after the meeting, quoted on Friday (24/7/2026).

At the meeting in Kalibata Timur, Pancoran, South Jakarta, ICW provided extensive input regarding the procurement of goods and services.

Gus Ipul stated that all the information and data presented by ICW would serve as input for the ministry to take mitigation steps and improve governance in procurement, so that corruption does not occur within the Sekolah Rakyat programme.

“This is a warning, and we must accept it and follow up on several matters,” said Gus Ipul.

He and the entire ministry leadership are committed to following up, examining thoroughly, and taking concrete steps so that all poor practices can be mitigated and avoided.

“Ultimately, Sekolah Rakyat will truly match the President’s goal, namely to provide education in a quality environment for the poorest families,” he continued.

Therefore, Gus Ipul opened the door for all parties to participate in monitoring and providing input, criticism and suggestions regarding all programmes run by the Ministry of Social Affairs. He emphasised that the ministry is very open to criticism and suggestions from the public.

“We are very open to criticism and suggestions from any party, especially when accompanied by accurate data. Everything ICW conveyed was supported by very accurate data,” explained Gus Ipul.

For this reason, Gus Ipul expressed his gratitude to the public, particularly ICW, for providing input, criticism and suggestions to the Ministry of Social Affairs, complete with supporting data. “So that we can make corrections and adopt policies capable of preventing such corruption,” he added.

Furthermore, Gus Ipul also instructed ministry officials to continue strengthening integrity and improving governance. He reminded them that there is no room for corruption within the Ministry of Social Affairs.

“Let all levels of the Ministry of Social Affairs continue to strengthen integrity. Strengthen integrity and improve governance so that these unwanted things do not happen. We must be aware that corrupt acts will be exposed. In time they will be exposed, and this is a warning,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, Acting ICW Coordinator Almas Sjafrina revealed that the organisation is committed to safeguarding the government’s strategic programmes, including Sekolah Rakyat, as the education sector is one of ICW’s special focuses.

“So our hope, through the oversight roles ICW carries out — from studies to monitoring and so on — our intention is to ensure that the budget and all programmes implemented by the government are free from leakage and maximised for public education,” explained Almas.

“Because we believe that education should be just and inclusive,” she added.

Also present at the meeting were the ministry’s Acting Inspector General Dody Sukmono, Head of the General Bureau Yadi Mucthar, and Head of the Education, Training and Professional Development Centre Afrizon Tanjung, as well as ICW Advocacy Division Head Egi Primayogha and ICW Law and Investigation Division staff member Zararah Azhim Syah.