Closed Elections Open Corruption Loopholes

The regional head election is required to be transparent and open to public participation. If not, the practice of buying and selling positions can occur. Allowing this practice could lead to even greater corruption.

KOMPAS/WISNU WIDIANTORO

President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana prepare to congratulate several Governors and Deputy Governors who were sworn in at the State Palace, Jakarta, Friday (12/5/2017).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The process of selecting 272 acting regional heads is vulnerable to the practice of buying and selling positions. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is paying great attention to this threat. However, before law enforcement can act, the central government can prevent this by developing a transparent electoral system.

Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher Egi Primayogha, when contacted in Jakarta on Tuesday (19/4/2022), said the potential for conflict of interest in the selection of acting regional heads was very large. There was only one authority, namely the central government through the Home Ministry (Kemendagri). If the process eliminated the space for public participation and was not carried out openly, the potential for fraud would be even greater.