Social Minister to Seek KPK Input on People's School Procurement
Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf, or Gus Ipul, stated that he will visit the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to seek input regarding the goods procurement process in the People’s School programme. This step is taken amid public attention on the governance of procurement, including the purchase of student shoes and socks.
“Tomorrow, God willing, we will present all the processes; we will provide all the data so that advice and suggestions can be given for the future,” said Gus Ipul when met at the Office of the Indonesian Communication Agency, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday, 6 May 2026.
He conveyed that this meeting is an initiative from the Ministry of Social Affairs to consult directly with the KPK. According to him, input from the KPK is crucial to ensure that goods procurement runs in accordance with regulations and is free from deviations. “We greatly value the KPK’s opinions and will follow them up,” he said.
In addition to the KPK, the Ministry of Social Affairs is open to coordinating with other institutions such as the prosecutor’s office and police in overseeing the goods and services procurement process. Gus Ipul stressed that all processes must go through the established stages because they use state funds. “Every rupiah must be accounted for. There are responsible parties at each stage,” he said.
This step follows public questions regarding the procurement mechanism in the People’s School programme, including the scheme where part is handed over to schools and part is done centrally by the ministry.
Gus Ipul acknowledged that an internal evaluation is still underway to ensure the details of the procurement mechanism. He mentioned that he has asked his subordinates to compile more detailed data so it can be explained openly to the public. “We will confirm this first, and I have asked today for the information to be provided,” he said.
He also stated that he will not tolerate corruption practices if they occur in his ministry’s environment. Gus Ipul said that from the start, he has instructed all procurement processes to be carried out carefully and transparently. “We do not want any deviations. The strategic programme must not be disrupted by corruption or misappropriation,” said Gus Ipul.
The procurement for the People’s School that is under scrutiny is for shoes and socks.
Based on data from the general procurement plan on INAPROC, the total value of student school shoe procurement is Rp 27,541,500,000, using the e-purchasing method. There are two types of shoe procurement with the same total value as above, with different package names. Each package name is student equipment school shoes and PDH (daily uniform) student equipment shoes.
Meanwhile, procurement for other shoes, namely sports shoes for students, has a total value of Rp 19,672,500,000. There is also procurement for sports shoes for teachers, with a total value of Rp 3,979,000. In addition, teacher service shoes amounting to Rp 5,570,600,000.