Jakarta, December 20th, 2018 – Some of Indonesia’s regional leaders gathered on Thursday to reiterate their commitment to combat corruption, a major hurdle to meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The gathering in Jakarta was organized by the Presidential Office (KSP), the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), and the Ministry of Home Affairs, with support by the United Nations of Development (UNDP).

The gathering also highlighted the theme of this year’s International Day of Corruption, #UnitedAgaisntCorruption, which calls for countries around the world to enforce greater transparency and inclusivity in their government institutions to achieve SDGs. The SDGs or Global Goals are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations (UN)  in 2015.

The regional leaders also participated in a series of panel discussions that fleshed out ways to implement the Action Plan for the National Strategy for Preventing Corruption as reflected in the Presidential Regulation No. 54 of 2018 covering three areas, namely 1) trade system licensing; 2) state finance; 3) law enforcement and bureaucratic reform

“President Joko Widodo will select regions that have the best corruption prevention system and they will be held up as best practices for other regions," said Gen. (Ret.) Moeldoko, Presidential Chief of Staff. Moeldoko stressed the importance of collaboration to prevent corruption,  among government institutions and civil societies.

KPK Deputy Chief Saut Situmorang praised the regional heads who had gathered to  voice their anti-corruption strance, saying it could build a momentum to galvanise a nationwide movement on preventive measures.  

“Corruption hampers development and the provision of  public services. Public services must be fast, easy, transparent and free from extortion,” said Mr. Situmorang.

Deputy Director of UNDP Indonesia, Sophie Kemkhadze said that corruption are hampering   development efforts around the world.

“According to the latest data by the UN, an estimated $2.6 trillion are stolen annualy through corruption around the world. This money could be used instead to improve healthcare, education and provide key infrastructure to service the need of the people. Indonesia stands a critical development juncture where extra fund is needed than before to lift millons of people out poverty, hence the need to stamp out poverty should become a top priority, said Ms. Kemkhadze.

She added that developing countries around the world face $2.5 trilion annual investment gap in key sustainable development sectors.

The local leaders were from the Municipality of Makassar; Semarang Municipality; Medan Municipality; Tangerang Municipality; Bogor Municipality; Kupang Municipality; Manado Municipality; Surabaya Municipality; Bandung Municipality; Bojonegoro Regency.

MEDIA CONTACT

Kantor Staf Presiden, The Presidential Office  (KSP), Abraham Wirotomo, abraham.wirotomo@ksp.go.id
UNDP Indonesia Communication Specialist, Tomi Soetjipto, suryo.tomi@undp.org