Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo has centralized all leave authorization for civil servants (ASN) within the Ministry of Public Works. The policy, implemented over the past two to three months, requires all leave requests to be approved directly by the Minister following the discovery of fraudulent documents, according to Dody.
Previously, the authority to approve leave was delegated to the secretary-general, directors-general, and lower-level officials. Dody stated he decided to reclaim this authority after identifying irregularities in the system.
Centralizing Approval to Combat Fraud
Dody described the decision as a necessary “brake” to address systemic issues within the ministry. During a media discussion on Wednesday (July 22), he explained that his suspicions were confirmed after reviewing requests personally and finding that many contained invalid documentation.
“It turns out many of the permits were fake,” Dody said. He specified that the fraudulent submissions included forged medical certificates and other falsified supporting documents. The new centralized system allows the Minister to direct the Inspectorate General to investigate any suspicious applications immediately. This one-door policy applies to all ASN personnel, both at the central office and in regional branches.
Did You Know?
Before the current policy change, the Ministry of Public Works delegated all leave approval authority down the administrative hierarchy, starting from the secretary-general and extending to directors-general and subordinate officials.
Operational Impact and Future Outlook
The Minister acknowledged that the centralized process significantly increases his personal workload. However, he maintained that the measure is essential for fostering integrity among ASN staff, especially given that the ministry manages an annual budget reaching hundreds of trillions of rupiah.
Dody emphasized that this centralization is a temporary measure. He intends to return the approval authority to the relevant officials once the system is properly reorganized and the integrity of the documentation process is restored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Minister change the leave approval process?
The Minister implemented the change after finding evidence of fraudulent leave documents, including forged medical certificates and falsified support files.
Who is affected by this new policy?
The policy applies to all ASN personnel within the Ministry of Public Works, covering staff at both the central and regional levels.
Is this a permanent change?
No, Dody stated that the centralization is a temporary measure. He plans to delegate the authority back to the appropriate officials once the system is orderly and transparent.
How do you view the effectiveness of temporary administrative centralization as a tool for internal reform?