IDNAround – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said on Thursday he was unsurprised by the public disappointment after his officials’ extravagant lifestyles got exposed.
Government officials have been under fire for possessing questionable wealth and flexing them on social media. As the list of the number of officials being show-offs grows, so does public disappointment with the government. Jokowi said he was aware of social media comments, expressing their disappointment over the official’s lavish lifestyles.
“It is not just the tax directorate general and customs, not to mention the police force, other law enforcement agencies, and bureaucracies. If that is the case, no wonder the people are disappointed,” Jokowi said when kicking off a cabinet meeting in Jakarta on Thursday.
“They believe the public service has been poor, and the government officials are behaving arrogantly, flexing their power and wealth, and are hedonistic.”
Jokowi told his ministers to discipline their subordinates and remind them to not show off on social media. He also told the police force and the attorney general’s office to make “internal improvements” before taking care of the ministries and other government bodies.
“Do not flaunt your power and wealth, and display them on Instagram or social media!” Jokowi said while adding that such actions were very inappropriate for the state apparatus.
Taxman Rafael Alun Trisambodo was the first official to draw public attention to the saga.
Rafael admitted that he had Rp 56.1 billion ($3.6 million) in personal assets, but he seemed to be richer than what he was willing to admit. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Wednesday summoned Rafael to clarify his sources of wealth. Rafael’s luxurious life got viral after his son Mario Dandy Satrio beat a boy into a coma.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani also recently told the tax directorate general to disband its big bike club after a photo of its chief Suryo Utomo on one of the group’s tours became the talk of Indonesian netizens.
Yogyakarta customs office head Eko Darmanto recently came into the spotlight, also for flaunting his luxurious possessions. Deputy Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara on Wednesday instructed the temporary removal of Eko from his post for further investigation.
The “hedonistic officials” drama began just shortly after Police General Ferdy Sambo was sentenced to death for ordering the murder of his subordinate Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat.
Related News: KPK: Many Gov’t Officials Lie on Their Wealth Report
