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Ministry mulls over remunerations hike for regional heads
The Finance Ministry is conducting a study on the possibility of increasing remunerations for regional heads – governors, mayors and regents – as part of a broader effort to reduce rampant corruption practices.
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The regent of North Sumatra’s Pakpak Bharat regency, Remigo Yolanda Berutu (left front), is escorted by Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators upon arriving at the KPK office in Jakarta on Nov. 18. Remigo was arrested in a KPK operation in Medan, North Sumatra, the day before. (ANTARA/Aprillio Akbar)
T
he Finance Ministry is conducting a study on the possibility of increasing remunerations for regional heads – governors, mayors and regents – as part of a broader effort to reduce rampant corruption practices, according to a top official.
“We are conducting a study. We will also report the idea to the President because he also has concerns about the remuneration arrangements, particularly for officials in the regions,” Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said in Jakarta on Wednesday as reported by kompas.com.
Previously, Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) commissioner Laode Muhammad Syarif said that since 2014, the KPK had investigated 99 regional heads for graft, nearly all of whom were later found guilty.
This year alone from January to Oct. 15, 25 regional heads have been investigated by the commission.
Sri Mulyani said the study aimed to understand whether a higher salary would discourage regional heads from accepting bribes.
She added that their remuneration packages needed to be revised systematically and comprehensively, but there has yet to be a study on the urgency of a change.
Sri Mulyani did not disclose when the Finance Ministry’s study started and when it would be turned into a government policy.
She further welcomed the input of all relevant parties in the matter, including the KPK, on how to remunerate regional heads so they would not be interested in involving themselves in graft.
“We will seriously consider suggestions from the KPK,” she added. (bbn)
