THE MANY sting operations (OTT) within the regional government (Pemda), most recently within the South Kalimantan Provincial Government (Kalsel) have shown that corruption is still a serious problem in government governance.
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Professor of Political Science at Diponegoro University and anti-corruption observer, Prof. Budi Setyono explained that there are at least several factors that cause high levels of corruption in the form of bribery that occur within the regional government.
“First, the motivation of officials to gain personal gain through corrupt practices is still strong, especially in sectors that have the potential to make money. “Second, there is still a lack of transparency in decision making and budget or investment management, thus facilitating corrupt practices,” he explained to Media Indonesia on Monday (8/10).
Apart from that, Budi said that weak internal and external supervision also contributed to the increase in acts of corruption, making it difficult to detect early. Apart from that, cultural factors that often praise guilty officials to uncritical people also make it impossible for corruptors to often be deterred.
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“In Indonesia there are still people who think that abuse of power is normal. “In fact, the sanctions imposed can be negotiated so that it seems to create a sense of impunity, a concrete example is that the sentence for corruptors of hundreds of billions or even trillions is the same as the sentence for chicken thieves or people who simply keep protected animals,” he stressed.
Budi believes that the practice of bribery and gratification is the easiest criminal act of corruption that can be carried out by corruptors, so there is no need for sophisticated and complicated planning to receive bribes or gratuities, unfortunately the corruption prevention system is still very minimal. This is what often causes this practice to spread among local governments.
“Officials only need to sell authority or permits, which is different from grand corruption such as the e-KTP, Hambalang, BLBI, Asabri, or Century Bank corruption cases, which require quite complicated planning and implementation,” he said.
Budi emphasized that serious efforts are needed to prevent and take action against cases of corruption at the regional government level, first preventing political corruption by emphasizing transparency in political recruitment and eliminating the bureaucratic dimension of corruption through the application of e-government governance principles.
“It can be prevented by simplifying and clarifying the recruitment system for political officials in the regions, candidates for regent/mayor/DPRD members must be selected in a transparent and systematic recruitment process. “We must also modernize regional government governance by adopting e-government and artificial intelligence in public services,” he stressed. (Dev/M-4)
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Corruption in South Kalimantan: A Persistent Problem in Government Governance
As I delve into the latest news article regarding the sting operations within the South Kalimantan Provincial Government, I am struck by the gravity of corruption that persists in government governance. The recent arrest of the South Kalimantan Governor, Sahbirin Noor, on corruption charges serves as a stark reminder of the entrenched nature of this issue [[3]]. In this article, I will offer my analysis of the factors that contribute to corruption in South Kalimantan and the implications for government governance.
According to Professor Budi Setyono, a renowned expert on anti-corruption, there are several factors that contribute to the high levels of corruption within the regional government. Firstly, the personal gain motive among officials, particularly in sectors that have the potential to generate significant revenue, remains a powerful driving force behind corrupt practices. Secondly, the lack of transparency in decision-making and budget management facilitates corrupt activities, making it easier for officials to engage in corrupt behavior [[1]].
Furthermore, Professor Setyono highlights the role of weak internal and external supervision in perpetuating corruption. Without effective oversight, corrupt activities can go undetected, allowing perpetrators to continue their illicit behavior without consequence. Additionally, cultural factors, such as the tendency to praise and condone the actions of corrupt officials, also play a significant role in perpetuating corruption.
The recent travel ban imposed on the South Kalimantan Governor by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is a clear indication of the efforts being made to tackle corruption in the region [[1]]. However, as the article notes, this is a symptom of a broader problem that requires a more comprehensive solution.
The study by Auriga Nusantara and the Corruption Eradication Commission highlights the necessity of addressing natural resource governance problematics and law enforcement challenges in the natural resources sector [[2]]. This report underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in natural resource management, as well as the need for effective law enforcement to prevent corruption.
corruption remains a serious problem in government governance in South Kalimantan. The recent sting operations and arrest of the Governor are a stark reminder of the need for urgent action to address this issue. Transparency, accountability, and effective supervision are essential components of any strategy to combat corruption. As journalists, policymakers, and citizens, we must continue to shine a light on this issue and advocate for meaningful reforms to prevent corruption and ensure good governance.
References:
<a href="https://auriga.or.id/report/download/en/report/77/ahmadfikrihadinerwinnatosmaloemarnaturalresourcegovernanceproblematicsandlawenforcementchallengesinnaturalresourcessectorsinsouthkalimantanen.pdf”>[2]
