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iming to curb graft within the city administration, acting governor Basuki '€œAhok'€ Tjahaja Purnama introduced a new policy that will oblige top- to middle-level city officials to report their wealth to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Until recently, only officials at a level equal to agency heads (echelon II) were obliged to report their wealth to the antigraft body.

'€œI won'€™t tolerate [fraudulent practices] anymore. I have instructed [the assistant to the city secretary for administration] to regulate the policy. Now all officials from echelon IV and above must report their wealth to the KPK. It'€™s obligatory if someone wants to assume a structural post. Otherwise, they'€™ll be removed,'€ he said at City Hall on Tuesday evening, adding that he aimed to overhaul the city administration in the near future.

Separately, Johan Budi, deputy for the KPK prevention unit, said that the antigraft body appreciated Ahok'€™s initiative.

'€œThe KPK lauds the move and we give our high appreciation to Pak Ahok for taking such an initiative,'€ Johan said, adding that by doing so Ahok had contributed to the country'€™s effort to eradicate corruption on the provincial level.

He said that the antigraft body was ready to help the Jakarta administration if Ahok needed a second opinion from the KPK on how to implement the plan.

He further said that the KPK was ready to invite city officials to a briefing about good governance should Ahok need the help.

'€œAs of now, we let Pak Ahok decide on how he will implement the policy, including deciding on all the technicalities of the plan. We are always ready to give any assistance when needed. We are also ready to give a briefing on good governance as a move to prevent corruption in provincial administrations,'€ Johan said.

KPK deputy chairman Zulkarnain added that all state officials were required to submit their wealth reports to the antigraft body within two months after the first day they officially start work as state officials.

'€œBy reporting their wealth to the antigraft body, they help the country'€™s corruption eradication efforts,'€ Zulkarnain said.

He further said that it was very important for state officials to be briefed on good governance in order to become familiar with all forms of graft and how to avoid them.

According to KPK spokesperson Priharsa Nugraha, the mechanism for reporting wealth to the antigraft body was relatively simple.

'€œThey can download form A for the first-timers and form B for those who have done it the past from the KPK'€™s website or ask for the forms [from the KPK office]. After completing the forms, they submit them to the KPK,'€ he said.

Jakarta Transportation Agency head Muhammad Akbar said he would abide by the new policy, saying that he was preparing his own report.

'€œ[My wealth] is being calculated. I am about to report it sometime soon,'€ said Akbar, who was appointed as the agency'€™s head in February this year.

He also lauded the policy, saying '€œThis is an effort to curb graft, so I support it.'€