Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The arrest of the Minister of Social Affairs Juliari Batubara by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in the early hours of Sunday (6/12/2020) reminded the public of the policy of the fourth former President of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid or who is familiarly called Gus Dur. While in power, President Gus Dur disbanded this institution in November 1999.
In an interview with Metro TV journalist, Andy F Noya asked Gus Dur why he disbanded two state institutions, namely, the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Social Affairs. At that time, Gus Dur’s decision sparked debate.
According to Gus Dur, the reason for the dissolution was because the Ministry of Social Affairs was synonymous with an institution full of corrupt practices.
“To be precise, because the department is supposed to protect the people, it turns out that the corruption is huge, to this day,” said Gus Dur, in an interview on the December 31, 2009 edition of the Kick Andy program.
Andy Noya was still not satisfied with Gusdur’s answer and returned to asking questions. This time, he likened it to the parable of a mouse and a barn.
“If you kill rats, you don’t need to burn the barn?” he said.
“Oh indeed,” Gus Dur answered shortly.
“Why did you burn (the barn)?” asked Andy again.
“Because the rats have taken over the barn,” said Gus Dur, laughing.
Unfortunately, the department’s dissolution was short lived. This decision caused Gusdur’s throne at the Palace to not last long, only 20 months.
He was then impeached by the parliament through a special session of the Indonesian MPR on July 23, 2001. Megawati Soekarnoputri, the fifth Indonesian president appointed to replace her, has re-formed this institution.
For information only, Social Minister Juliari Batubara who was appointed by the anti-gas commission as a suspect in the Hand-Catching Operation (OTT) in the early hours of Sunday.
Cadres of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) are suspected of accepting bribes of Rp. 17 billion from the two social assistance packages related to basic necessities for handling Covid-19.
(hps / hps)
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