By KUSNANDAR & CO., Attorneys at Law – Jakarta, INDONESIA
The visit of Jakarta
Governor Pramono Anung to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)
on October 16, 2025, deserves recognition from a legal and governance
standpoint. Rather than being seen as a political move, the meeting between the
governor and the KPK leadership reflects a form of administrative prudence and
a genuine commitment to uphold good governance. The discussion reportedly
revolved around two major issues that have long burdened Jakarta’s development
agenda: the dismantling of the abandoned monorail pillars along Rasuna Said
Street and the future utilization of the Sumber Waras Hospital land.
From a legal
perspective, the governor’s initiative is firmly grounded in Indonesia’s
administrative and anti-corruption framework. The KPK Law (Law No. 19 of
2019) mandates the Commission to coordinate and supervise government
institutions in efforts to prevent corruption. Consulting the KPK, therefore,
is not an act of interference but a legitimate preventive measure that ensures
future public projects are implemented transparently and within the bounds of
the law. It demonstrates an understanding that prevention is far more effective
and responsible than waiting for legal violations to occur.
The issue of the
monorail project is a clear example of the need for legal due diligence. The
pillars, remnants of a failed project, are not only physical obstructions but
also represent unresolved legal and asset management questions. Under Government
Regulation No. 27 of 2014 on the Management of State and Regional Property,
such assets must be reviewed, audited, and officially written off or repurposed
before any physical dismantling can take place. By coordinating with both the Jakarta
High Prosecutor’s Office and the KPK, the governor ensures that the
dismantling will not constitute an unlawful act under Articles 2 and 3 of
the Anti-Corruption Law (Law No. 31 of 1999 jo. Law No. 20 of 2001), which
prohibit actions causing financial loss to the state. This approach reflects a
strong commitment to avoid administrative negligence or potential corruption
allegations that often arise in asset disposal processes.
The same prudence is
evident in the handling of the Sumber Waras land issue. The controversy,
which dates back to 2014, once drew scrutiny from the Audit Board of
Indonesia (BPK) over irregularities in land pricing. A decade later, the
property’s market value has nearly doubled, making its resale impractical and
financially disadvantageous for the province. Instead of ignoring the past
findings, Governor Pramono has chosen to consult the KPK and ensure that all
recommendations from BPK are properly followed, in accordance with Article
20(2) of Law No. 15 of 2004 on the Accountability of State Finances.
Repurposing the land for public health facilities not only serves the city’s
social needs but also aligns with the principle of economic and social benefit
embedded in public asset management law.
Beyond these two
issues, the governor’s call for broader cooperation with the KPK in
anti-corruption education and prevention programs deserves equal praise. Article
13(c) of the KPK Law provides the legal foundation for such educational
efforts, emphasizing that the fight against corruption must begin with
awareness and institutional integrity. By promoting ethics training and
transparency initiatives within Jakarta’s bureaucracy, the governor is
strengthening the city’s administrative culture in a way that goes beyond
compliance — toward genuine public accountability.
In the realm of
administrative law, the principle of prudence requires public officials
to act carefully and lawfully in every decision that involves public resources.
The governor’s visit to the KPK exemplifies this principle in practice. It is
an act of due diligence, not defensiveness; a proactive measure to close legal
gaps before they become liabilities. Such behavior reflects a maturing
understanding of governance — one that recognizes oversight not as a threat,
but as an integral part of democratic accountability.
Seen in this light,
Governor Pramono Anung’s initiative is not only legally sound but also
symbolically powerful. It demonstrates that consultation and coordination with
law enforcement bodies should be a normal part of governance, not a sign of
political vulnerability. If other regional leaders adopt similar practices,
Indonesia could move closer to the ideal of clean, transparent, and
integrity-based governance where legality and public interest are at the heart
of every policy decision.
K&Co - October 16, 2025
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