By: Alfin Jati Kusuma*)
The government’s efforts to realize clean and integrated governance continue to show positive developments. Concrete steps through cross-institutional synergy are proof of the state’s commitment to preventing systemic corruption. This collaboration is not only symbolic, but also an important foundation in building a monitoring and transparency system in a sector that is full of budget and risk of irregularities, namely national housing.
Minister of PKP Maruarar Sirait, or familiarly called Ara, understands very well the complexity and magnitude of his ministry’s responsibility, especially with President Prabowo Subianto’s mandate to realize the construction of three million people’s houses. The biggest challenge is not only about the physical realization of the project, but also how to ensure that every rupiah of the public budget is used on target without getting caught in the trap of corruption. In this context, cooperation with the KPK is a strategic and tactical step at the same time.
The scope of this cooperation is very comprehensive. Starting from the exchange of data and information, strengthening the capacity of human resources (HR), utilization of state confiscated goods, to public education regarding anti-corruption values. Ara even openly requested additional KPK personnel to be placed directly within his ministry to oversee various strategic programs. This request was welcomed positively by the KPK, demonstrating a quick and open response from the anti-corruption agency.
This request is not without reason. Major programs such as the construction of houses for former East Timorese fighters in Kupang and the self-help housing stimulus assistance (BSPS) in Sumenep are concrete examples where the risk of budget misappropriation is very real. Ara said that indications of alleged corruption in the two regions have been processed and reported to law enforcement. This indicates that the prevention system that has begun to be implemented internally is starting to bear fruit. However, to create a long-term effect, assistance from the KPK is an important key to encouraging the sustainability of good governance.
Similar steps were also taken by the Ministry of Religion, which collaborated with the KPK through an e-learning program to understand gratification for more than 15,000 state civil servants (ASN) within the Ministry of Religion. This program is part of a corruption prevention strategy that is not only based on supervision, but also education and transformation of bureaucratic culture. Inspector III of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Aceng Abdul Azis, emphasized that this program is not just an administrative obligation, but is part of a collective effort to build a work culture that is honest and has integrity.
Corruption prevention is not enough with regulations alone, but also requires internalization of ethical values and integrity in every line of bureaucracy. The Secretary of the Inspectorate General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Kastolan, even gave an example of how small gratifications, such as food parcels, if not reported, can become a loophole for corrupt practices to enter. This shows that the roots of corruption often start from things that are considered trivial but have a big impact if left unchecked.
The Director of Anti-Corruption Education and Training at the KPK, Yonathan Demme Tangdilintin, emphasized the importance of the Trident strategy that the KPK has developed so far—namely education, prevention, and action. The three must go hand in hand so that the results obtained are not only reactive, but are able to create a system that is resistant to potential deviations. The implementation of e-learning at the Ministry of Religious Affairs is real proof that anti-corruption education can be carried out massively and systematically in this digital era.
Collaboration between technical ministries and the KPK shows a more comprehensive approach to preventing corruption. No longer just waiting for cases to emerge, but actively building a system that makes corruption increasingly difficult to carry out. The courage of the Ministry of PKP and the Ministry of Religious Affairs in opening up cooperation with the KPK deserves to be appreciated and used as an example for other ministries and institutions. This is important considering the large amount of state budget managed by various agencies, where transparency and accountability must be the main principles.
In the midst of the spirit of development promoted by President Prabowo’s government, maintaining integrity in program implementation is a main pillar of success. Especially when funding sources such as People’s Business Credit (KUR) and national banking policies have injected support of up to hundreds of trillions of rupiah, as expressed by Maruarar. Without a strong monitoring system, the potential for budget leaks will be difficult to avoid.
The synergy that is built carries a strong moral and political message: the government does not tolerate corrupt practices in any form. This commitment must continue to be maintained, even expanded to the level of regional government and other public institutions. Instilling an anti-corruption culture is not onlyYes, it is the responsibility of the KPK, but it is a shared task for all elements of the bureaucracy and society. Only with this collective spirit can Indonesia move towards clean, efficient, and publicly trusted governance.
By placing synergy between institutions as part of the main strategy for eradicating corruption, the government is currently planting the seeds of a new civilization: a bureaucracy that serves and does not enrich itself. This is the foundation that will lead this nation towards fair, competitive, and dignified development governance.
*) The author is a journalist and editor of government issues
