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Crackdown on Aceh Corruption
ADB Review [ June-July 2006 ]

A government-funded anticorruption unit is helping ensure complaints are handled properly for reconstruction-related issues

By Jose Tiburcio Nicolas
and
Izziah Hasan
Social Safeguard Advisors to ADB’s Extended Mission in Sumatera, Indonesia

Since it began operations in September 2005, the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR) in Banda Aceh has dealt with 475 complaints and queries.

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Fully funded by the government of Indonesia, the ACU’s central mandate revolves around corruption and ethical issues, though the unit handles cases far beyond these concerns.

Of the queries received so far, only about 16% are linked directly to alleged corruption. Others include concerns about the bidding process, complaints about systems and procedures, advice sought on ethical concerns, and reports of alleged crimes.

Complaints have been lodged by private individuals, contractors, and nongovernment organizations (NGOs). Employees of other government agencies have also put forward complaints.

Kevin Evans, Director of BRR-ACU, says that complaints related to misinformation, poor communication with communities on established procedures in bidding, qualifications of bidders, or payment of fees, are relatively easy to solve.

Cases that require further legal action are referred to appropriate agencies, such as the Anti-Corruption Commission or the Commission on Business Practices.

He says BRR-ACU makes sure all complainants—particularly from poor people—are heard, and that they are properly informed of solutions, and follow-up on action is taken.

BRR-ACU sometimes acts as a mediator or facilitator in finding solutions. Mr. Evans describes one case in which an NGO, the community, and the contractor were in dispute, each accusing the other of wrongdoing.

BRR-ACU organized a meeting with the three parties and asked to explain its side. Finally, they were able to clarify the misperceptions each had and agree on how to move forward. In another case, an NGO alleged it was being extorted by people claiming to be members of the Free Aceh Movement, Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM).

BRR-ACU contacted the former GAM leadership and organized a discussion with the NGO concerned. GAM then investigated and found that the alleged extorters were not affiliated with GAM but were using GAM’s name. In coordination with the police, it helped apprehend the suspects.

Mr. Evans says BRR-ACU protects whistleblowers by keeping their identity strictly confidential and by not revealing the substance of individual cases publicly. He adds that aside from addressing grievances and complaints, BRR-ACU also tries to identify systemic and crosscutting concerns and propose improvements. This may include improving procedures, or specific actions in improving civil service incentives and merit systems.

He says some issues identified through the grievance and complaints system are manifestations of more systemic weaknesses in Indonesia’s civil service. He believes that long-term solutions can only be achieved by repairing and improving the system.

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