Ombudsman to Investigate Alleged Maladministration in Ministry of Villages Leading to Layoff of 1,040 Village Assistants
An intriguing case of alleged maladministration in the Ministry of Villages has caught the attention of the Ombudsman RI, following a report implicating the Minister of Village Development and Disadvantaged Regions, Yandri Susanto, in the unilateral dismissal of 1,040 village professional assistants (TPP).
The report originated from representatives of thousands of TPP after an audience at the Ombudsman RI office in Jakarta on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. It has sparked a series of investigative actions by the Ombudsman to delve into the matter further.
First Steps Towards Accountability
The Ombudsman will begin by examining the report, followed by summoning involved parties for clarification and gathering information to understand the case fully. Robert Na Endi Jaweng, a member of the Ombudsman RI, emphasized the importance of thorough examination in cases of this nature.
“When we receive a report or complaint, it is crucial to proceed with an investigation. The examination will involve summoning relevant parties, although we have not yet identified them. However, based on the report, it appears that the Minister of Village is the subject of the complaint,” stated Robert Na Endi Jaweng after the audience.
This investigative process will culminate in the issuance of a report detailing whether the alleged maladministration indeed took place. If maladministration is confirmed, the Ombudsman will then determine the appropriate corrective actions, which could result in the revocation of the dismissal order or other forms of redress.
Robert elaborated on the criteria that the Ombudsman will use to evaluate the case, focusing on whether maladministration occurred in public services and state relations related to employment matters. The potential corrective actions will be decided based on a thorough understanding of the situation.
Voices of the Affected
In a poignant display of dissatisfaction, 1,040 village professional assistants from the Ministry of Village Development and Disadvantaged Regions who were unfairly laid off visited the Ombudsman RI to report alleged maladministration by the ministry regarding the unilateral terminations. These dedicated individuals had served their communities for 5-10 years, only to face sudden dismissal.
During a meeting with the House of Representatives Commission V in Jakarta on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the Association of Village Assistants in Indonesia (Pertepedesia) highlighted the reasons behind the dismissals. They claimed that the terminations were based on a misinterpretation of the recruitment criteria for village assistants, particularly concerning previous political aspirations.
The affected individuals pointed out that according to a Ministerial Letter from 2023, there was no prohibition for village professional assistants to run for political office without resigning. Additionally, a Circular Letter from the Indonesian Election Commission in July 2023 explicitly stated that political candidates who were TPPs were not required to resign or take leave.
However, in January 2025, following a change in ministerial leadership, a Work Order was issued, stipulating that TPPs who had previously run for office without resigning or taking leave would face immediate dismissal.
This series of events has raised concerns about the transparency and fairness of the employment practices within the Ministry of Villages, prompting the Ombudsman to intervene and seek accountability for the affected village assistants. As the investigation unfolds, the implications of these actions will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for all parties involved.
