KPK Calls On Ministers to Submit Wealth Reports

Jakarta Globe, Rizky Amelia, Nov 04, 2014

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, front center left, and Indonesian Vice President
 Jusuf Kalla, front center right, pose with the ministers of their cabinet on Oct. 27, 2014
(EPA Photo/Mast Irham)

Jakarta. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Tuesday reminded newly-installed ministers in President Joko Widodo’s Working Cabinet to submit their wealth reports, saying it was willing to assist them in complying to the regulation, if needed.

“If there are any ministers who want to discuss or need assistance in filing in their wealth reports, we’re ready to help,” KPK spokesperson Johan Budi said on Tuesday. “Up until today, several ministers from the Working Cabinet have been asking about the report.”

High-ranking public officials, including Joko, Vice President Jusuf Kalla and ministers serving in their cabinet, are given three months upon stepping into office and leaving their posts to submit a report of their wealth to the KPK. “If they do not submit their report after three months, we will send a letter to the president so he can remind the ministers,” Johan said.

“We might send a letter tomorrow to remind them to report their wealth to the KPK.”

He added that despite flaws in the regulation that stipulates the submission of wealth reports, such as the fact that the policy does not outline any sanctions for individuals who fail to comply, the report remains important to achieve a transparent government.

“Unfortunately … the obligation is not backed up by [the threat of] sanctions,” he said. “[But] the report is very important as it is a tool to achieve a clean and corruption-free government. It is related to the officials’ accountability toward the people as we can see how much wealth a person has before and after they step into high office.”

Related Article:

KPK to Give New Ministers Transparency Training