Anies Baswedan May be Sanctioned Over Dismissing City Officials

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan could be sanctioned for allegedly committing maladministration by reshuffling city officials. The State Civilian Bureaucracy Commission (KASN) has launched an investigation into the case. The KASN may impose a penalty if Anies Baswedan fails to follow up the recommendations provided by the commission.

KASN Commissioner I Made Suwandi said his office would issue the recommendation upon the completion of the investigation. The commission questioned two dismissed officials and Jakarta administration officials, while studying the evidence used as the basis of the discharges.

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“If the fact turns out to be wrong, we will issue recommendations, so the dismissed officials can get resume their jobs,” Made told reporters on Tuesday, July 17. On the other hand, the commission would back Anies Baswedan’s decision should violations committed by the dismissed officials be found.

“If the governor as the leader fails to follow the recommendation, we will submit the report to the president,“ Made added.

Made explained that the president has the authority to impose a sanction to state officials who fail to follow up recommendations as stipulated in Article 33 of Law No. 5/2014 on Civil Servants.

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“The president will later ask the State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucrat Reformation (PANRB) Ministry or the Home Affairs Ministry [to impose the sanction],” he said.

The reshuffle of a number of officials conducted by Anies Baswedan could violate the the law and government regulation on civil servants. KASN Commissioner Assistant Sumardi said the governor and deputy governor should have provided an opportunity to the officials to improve their performance.

M YUSUF MANURUNG