By: Rivka Mayangsari )*
Efforts to eradicate corruption in Indonesia continue to show positive progress, along with the increasing commitment of local governments to building a clean, transparent, and integrated public service ecosystem. The central government emphasized that the success of the national corruption eradication agenda depends heavily on synergy between law enforcement agencies, the education sector, and local governments. Therefore, the government fully appreciates a number of regions that have proven to demonstrate concrete steps in preventing and campaigning against corruption on an ongoing basis.
One concrete manifestation of this commitment comes from the North Sulawesi Provincial Government, which is considered to have successfully implemented a strategic breakthrough through the issuance of Governor’s Regulation (Pergub) Number 39 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of Anti-Corruption Education. This regulation was issued during the leadership of Governor Olly Dondokambey and was directly commended by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Deputy Chairman Ibnu Basuki Widodo stated that the gubernatorial regulation represents a monumental step in strengthening a culture of integrity from an early age in educational settings. He argued that corrupt practices not only harm the state financially but also have far-reaching consequences, damaging social order, weakening the economy, and creating injustice that hinders the people’s well-being.
Widodo emphasized that corruption eradication cannot rely solely on enforcement but must be accompanied by character education and strengthening governance from school age. Therefore, he hopes that North Sulawesi will become a truly corruption-free region through increased public involvement and early prevention.
This regulation makes North Sulawesi a pioneering region in implementing anti-corruption education as part of the mandatory curriculum and character-building activities in schools and universities. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) views this policy as aligned with the national strategy of making education the vanguard in breaking the chain of corruption. Through this decisive and innovative measure, the central government expresses its deep appreciation for the North Sulawesi Provincial Government’s contribution to strengthening the corruption prevention system on a sustainable basis.
In addition to North Sulawesi, the Kudus Regency Government has also demonstrated a strong commitment. For its extensive efforts in promoting anti-corruption values across various public service sectors, the Kudus Regency Government has received an award from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Kudus Regent Sam’ani Intakoris emphasized that building an anti-corruption culture must begin early and be realized through clean bureaucratic governance, free from extortion, and straightforward procedures. He stated that the success of promoting efficient public services is proof that a clean bureaucracy will have a direct impact on society.
Similarly, Kudus Deputy Regent Bellinda Birton stated that the award is concrete evidence that the Kudus Regency Government is truly implementing a comprehensive anti-corruption campaign. Anti-corruption education, strengthening a clean work culture, and a transparent oversight system are the main foundations the Kudus Regency Government upholds in supporting the national anti-corruption agenda. The central government emphasized that this exemplary practice should inspire other regions in strengthening government integrity.
No less impressive is the extraordinary achievement of the Probolinggo Regency Government, which has successfully made new history in the map of corruption prevention efforts in Indonesia. The Regency, known as Probolinggo Paradise, received a special award from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) as the only local government to win three categories simultaneously in the 2025 Anti-Corruption Campaign event. The award was given because the Probolinggo Regency Government was deemed to have a complete commitment to the anti-corruption campaign, both at the institutional level and public participation.
The Regent of Probolinggo, Gus dr. Mohammad Haris, emphasized that this achievement represents a crucial moment to abandon past bad habits and build a cleaner, more inclusive future for the region. He added that eradicating corruption requires more than just legal enforcement, but also character building from the grassroots level to create a prosperous and highly competitive society. The Probolinggo Regency Government’s strong commitment to ending the culture of corruption demonstrates that transforming regional governance is crucial to improving the quality of life for its citizens.
The central government believes that the success of these three regions demonstrates that eradicating corruption is not just a slogan, but a national movement that requires strong collaboration between the central and regional governments. This appreciation symbolizes the crucial role of local governments at the forefront of maintaining the sustainability of clean and transparent national development.
The progressive steps taken by North Sulawesi, Kudus, and Probolinggo confirm that regions in Indonesia are increasingly mature in developing an anti-corruption culture. By strengthening education, governance, and public participation, the government hopes to create a cleaner, fairer, and corruption-free Indonesia.
The government emphasized that regional commitments to eradicating corruption must be continuously maintained and strengthened. Only with clean governance can the vision of an Advanced Indonesia be realized for all its citizens.
)* Anti-Corruption Observer