Regional Leaders' Low Salaries Fuel Local Corruption, Says KPK Secretary General

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Secretary General of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Cahya H. Harefa, has called on the central government to raise the salaries of regional leaders. He argued that low remuneration often becomes a driving factor behind corrupt practices at the local level.

"If salaries stay that low, it’s hard to believe corruption happens without other factors involved. With such limited income, there must be a clear reason why someone would resort to corruption," Cahya said at the KPK’s Red and White Building in South Jakarta on June 4, 2025.

Cahya noted that some regional leaders earn only around Rp5.9 to Rp6 million per month. Combined with the high costs of political campaigns, this limited income can create pressure and temptations for corruption among candidates once they assume office.

"The selection process, if political costs remain high, will continue to be a serious issue. For instance, we once proposed Rp10,000 per vote to help fund political parties," he said.

He suggested that raising salaries could be a practical way to help curb corruption among regional officials. "This is also the responsibility of the central government, to review the facilities and salary structure for regional leaders," Cahya added.

Cahya's statement comes in the context of the KPK deploying five of its employees to serve as acting regional heads across Indonesia. According to him, this initiative is part of the agency's broader effort to reinforce anti-corruption practices by setting direct examples of clean leadership in the regions.

"The KPK is also trying to push for improved governance, regional economic development, and to set an example of leadership with integrity in the regions," he said in a written statement released on Monday, June 9, 2025.

He emphasized that this move aims to promote leadership free from corruption and aligns with the authority granted to the KPK under existing laws.

"This step is not just an administrative mandate, but a concrete form of the government's commitment to present clean, integral leadership and to bring an anti-corruption spirit to the closest level with the people," he said.

Cahya assured that the appointment of KPK personnel to regional leadership roles followed a legitimate process under the supervision of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri). The KPK was granted this opportunity because several regions were left without leadership after the 2024 local elections.

"The presence of acting officials from the KPK provides inspiration and direct understanding to civil servants and regional legislative councils that clean and corruption-free governance is not just a discourse but can be realized with bold and consistent leadership," Cahya said.

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