Two Replacement Regents Caught in Sting Operations, Golkar Legislator Highlights High Political Costs

A member of the House of Representatives Commission II from the Golkar Party, Ahmad Irawan, has highlighted the cases of the Langkat and Kuantan Singingi regents who were successively caught in sting operations. Irawan believes the recurrence of such corruption cases demonstrates the persistent weakness of Indonesia’s corruption prevention system.

“In my opinion, it is because every enforcement action taken by the KPK is not followed by improvements and strengthening of the corruption prevention system. That is why the acts keep repeating. Only the people and the perpetrators change,” Irawan told reporters on Sunday.

“Because of the system and culture, those who enter a vulnerable system are very likely to be exposed to corrupt behaviour,” he continued.

Irawan assessed that law enforcement alone is insufficient to break the chain of corruption. According to him, more comprehensive policy support is needed. “I believe that enforcement efforts carried out by law enforcement agencies such as the KPK will not be enough to break the chain. Law enforcers must be supported by adequate policy instruments,” he said.

He stated that corruption in the regions is influenced by various factors, including a culture of hedonism, a decentralised political system, and high political and bureaucratic costs. “Corruption that occurs in the regions is born from a cross-section of factors such as hedonism, decentralised politics, and a permissive culture. One of the most dominant triggers is also the high cost of politics and complicated bureaucracy. The causes of corruption are many, not singular,” he remarked.

Previously, the KPK conducted a sting operation against Kuantan Singingi Regent Suhardiman Amby. Suhardiman had assumed the position after replacing his predecessor, Andi Putra, who was caught in a sting operation in October 2021. The KPK then carried out another sting operation, this time ensnaring Langkat Regent Syah Afandin. This case was similar to Suhardiman’s. Syah Afandin was the replacement for previous Langkat Regent Terbit Rencana Perangin-angin, who was also implicated in a corruption case. In 2022, Syah Afandin served as acting regent of Langkat after Terbit was arrested by the KPK.