Wealth audit unawareness lamented

JAKARTA: State Minister of Administrative Reforms Feisal Tamin expressed regret on Thursday that many government officials remained reluctant to report their wealth to the State Officials Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN).

"The law must be upheld," Feisal said after a Cabinet meeting. He was referring to the 1999 antigraft law which authorizes KPKPN to audit the wealth of state officials, ranging from the President to state employees at the lowest level of the administration.

He said a government regulation stipulated sanctions for civil servants who failed to comply with the wealth audit law, including demotion.

Therefore, he added, the government renewed its call on the recalcitrant officials to adhere to the rules.

Lack of obedience to the wealth audit ruling is also rampant among House of Representatives legislators, but no action has been taken against them. -- JP