CORRUPTION: BIG ENEMY FOR MAYOR/REGIONAL HEAD

Enemies of the Regional Head

By: Masbahur Roziqi

The author is guidance and counseling teacher at SMKN 1 Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

 The city of Pasuruan was hit by an earthquake. This time it was not an earthquake like the one in Palu or Lombok. This earthquake is a term. Namely extraordinary events. What earthquake struck the city of Pasuruan ?? No other is the arrest of the current mayor of Pasuruan, Setiyono, by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator on Thursday (10/04/2018).

According to the KPK deputy chairman, Alexander Marwata, the KPK has set Setiyono as one of the suspects out of a total of four suspects. The four people were named suspects in connection with the alleged bribery in the building capital expenditure project and the development of the development of a Cooperative and Micro-Business Integrated Service Center in the Pasuruan City Government with regional budget funds for 2018.

Of course this is again an irony for the people. Why is there no end to the regional heads who become prisoners at the KPK. Starting from the governor to the regent and mayor. Take for example the former mayor of Mojokerto Masud, former mayor of Malang Mochammad Anton, and former Bangkalan Regent, Fuad Amin. As for the governor there was Zumi Zola, the former governor of Jambi, and Gatot Pujo Nugroho, the former governor of North Sumatra.Even though they were sworn in from the start, they have vowed to guard the people's trust. Namely implementing the government cleanly in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations. The big question is why even if we have been reminded from various quarters, there are still those who have to become KPK prisoners?At least according to the author, when someone decides to become a candidate for regional head, at that time he should think of his great enemy. Namely the potential for corruption when for example elected to take office. That potential must be mapped. Because when someone has become the head of the region, there will be a shock and pressure that comes tempting.The main cause is usually a regional head plunged into corruption, namely the potential for reciprocation to those who have helped win the regional head. Can be in the form of reciprocation given a government project, or get convenience in business permits. Or it could also be a promise to put its people into labor in the government.

This attachment to reciprocity is not uncommon to make regional heads become ewuh pakewuh. Especially if you have close kinship and friendship ties. The potential for abuse of authority will very likely occur.

Exactly, regional head candidates must know how the budgeting process includes the types of corruption that might occur. Apart from pressure, corruption may occur because the regional head does not understand regional budgeting. Including not understanding what type of corruption usually occurs.

It is here that the internal role of the head of the region itself and the government plays a role. From the government side, it is time for candidates for this regional head to be educated in advance regarding proper budgeting. Including teaching about the potential for corruption that occurs. Or even the government can prepare a competency test scheme for prospective regional heads. The material tested about budgeting, authority, and about corruption. The exam is in the form of writing and project work. The written exam contains budgeting and anti-corruption material. Whereas project work can be a simulation of how a regional head faces potential corruption. The results are written and presented with expert panelists from universities and professionals. The goal is to get a qualified regional head.

Internally, the regional head candidates should not stop learning. Especially learning from cases that have befallen former regional heads involved in corruption. And become a law enforcer. Cakada (regional head candidates) need to examine the case one by one. Where their mistakes are, what articles are most entangled, how the mode, network, and motives of corruption ensnare them, what sectors are often corrupted, to what extent the state financial losses incurred.

It would be even better if later it was elected as the regional head, it was the regional head who became the anti-corruption speaker for all SKPD and PPTK heads (Acting Technical Acting Officers) in the municipal / district / provincial government. The goal is one: to show his subordinates that the leader is committed to anti-corruption, and will not allow a penny of money to be corrupted. Especially by his own subordinates. Hopefully.