TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Presidential candidate number two, Prabowo Subianto, pledged to tackle corruption through a systematic and realistic approach. He expressed his commitment at the Integrity Pact event organized by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Wednesday evening, January 17, 2024.

He explained that the systematic and realistic approach could start by ensuring the quality of life and raising the salaries of officials who handle large state budgets.

“We must realistically regulate the quality of life of all decision-makers who control the wheels of government, especially those with large budgets. Their quality of life must be guaranteed and improved,” Prabowo, who also serves as Defense Minister, explained his commitment at the KPK's building.

Prabowo argued that developed countries have guaranteed the quality of life of their civil servants, including supreme judges, by paying them the highest salaries. He believed that this practice eliminates the potential for corruption.

The Gerindra Party patron chief said that currently, directors of private companies and state-owned enterprises have higher salaries than the Indonesian Military (TNI) commanders and even ministers with trillion-rupiah budgets.

“So, we need to improve the quality of life, increase the salaries of all officials, all state administrators. We are capable of that, I have calculated it with my team of experts,” he stressed, adding that Indonesia is a rich country and must enforce the laws.

“We don't need to wait for reports [of corruption]. An official in an important position must be transparent. I support strengthening the LHKPN (official wealth report) and imposing sanctions if the report is dishonest. All assets must be declared,” Prabowo concluded.

YUNI ROHMAWATI

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