Headline: Joko Widodo Named One of the World’s Most Corrupt Figures by OCCRP in 2024
Subhead: Former Indonesian President Jokowi among nominees, with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad named the most corrupt figure of the year.
In a controversial announcement, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has named Joko Widodo, former President of Indonesia, as one of the world’s most corrupt figures in 2024. Widodo, also known as Jokowi, was nominated alongside high-profile leaders like Kenyan President William Ruto, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Bangladeshi former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as well as Indian businessman Gautam Adani.
The final decision was made by a panel of six jurors, comprising renowned journalists and academics, from a shortlist determined through public nominations and journalistic investigations. OCCRP, headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, bases its annual ranking on the most significant corruption cases and their impact on society.
Assad, the embattled Syrian President, was crowned the most corrupt figure of 2024 due to his family’s extensive involvement in illicit activities and their influential role in the Eastern Mediterranean region over two decades of rule.
Jokowi’s inclusion in the corruption topnominees raised eyebrows, given his previously perceived clean image. OCCRP validated each nomination, including Jokowi’s, through thorough investigation by their six-judge panel, composed of accomplished journalists and academics from around the globe.
As the disputed "Southeast Asia’s Cleanest Man" during his presidential campaigns, Jokowi’s corruption allegations have been a subject of debate among Indonesian citizens and international observers. His inclusion in this prestigious, albeit controversial, list may ignite renewed scrutiny into his administration’s dealings.
Readers can delve deeper into the fascinating story of Jokowi’s journey to the final list of the world’s most corrupt figures here: Former Indonesian President Jokowi Named One of the World’s Most Corrupt Figures in 2024.
