TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, has scrutinized the widespread corruption cases involving regional heads. According to him, two factors have led regional heads to engage in corruption.
The first factor, he mentioned, is the system and recruitment process of regional heads. "The expensive costs of regional elections cause regional heads, after being elected, to want to recoup the money they have spent," he stated when contacted on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
He determined that the official salaries and incomes of regional heads are relatively low compared to the needs of state officials in such positions. "As a result, they seek additional income through corruption," stated the former Police Chief.
Continuing, Tito highlighted the second factor: the greed that affects the integrity of a regional leader. He said this greed leads regional leaders to continuously increase their income through misconduct.
He mentioned that the Ministry of Home Affairs has been collaborating with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and several related agencies to mitigate corrupt practices among regional leaders. Tito stated that his ministry has implemented a digital system to help regional governments monitor and manage their finances more transparently.
This initiative is being carried out because the Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for supervising regional leaders, as stipulated by the current regulations. "However, we do not have commanding authority like in the TNI and Police organizations," Tito affirmed.
In the past month, three regional heads have been designated as suspects in alleged corruption cases. They are Kuantan Singingi Regent Suhardiman Amby, Langkat Regent Syah Afandin, and the latest, Sukoharjo Regent Etik Suryani.
During the first seven months of 2026, ten regional heads have already been implicated in corruption cases. Furthermore, data from Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) indicates that 365 regional heads have become suspects in corruption cases from 2010 to 2024.
According to the ICW's findings, regional heads' corruption methods are primarily characterized by buying and selling positions, as well as misappropriating regional government procurement projects for goods and services.
Read: List of Indonesian Regional Heads Linked to Corruption Cases in 2026
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