Young Teacher Intimidated After Reporting Alleged Corruption in West Java

Liputan6.com, Bandung - A young teacher from West Java went viral on social media after revealing a possible corruption case. Through TikTok, the middle school teacher said he was asked to pay money in order to join a government training program.

The teacher, Husein Ali Rafsanjani (27), said the incident happened in 2020 when he received a letter of duty as a civil servant in Pangandaran Regency, and he had to follow a training in the provincial capital Bandung.

At that time, he was asked to pay Rp270,000 (around US$8.6) for transportation fee. But Husein believed the government already provided the budget for transportation.

During the training, he was again demanded to pay another Rp310,000 (around US$21) without receiving any explanation.

Husein eventually decided to blow the whistle, and then he was suddenly summoned by the civil servant and human resource office in Pangandaran.

"It was approximately six hours of trial in the office," said Husein.

He was told to take down his report and threatened to be fired for "defaming the institution".

"I innocently said, well then I ask for the termination letter today," he recounted.

His case received huge attention online, and the popular former Minister for Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti, who lives in Pangandaran, said she would bring this case to the regent.

Governor Intervened

Governor of West Java, Ridwan Kamil, intervened after the case went viral. He invited Husein to his office in Satay Building (Gedung Sate) and persuaded Husein to change his mind about resigning. 

Husein graduated from the Indonesia University of Education in Bandung. He majored in music.

Governor Ridwan Kamil said it was difficult to be a civil servant, so he asked Husein to keep working as a teacher. He also opens a possibility to make Husein a high school teacher. 

Husein also showcased his skills in front of the governor.

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ridwan Kamil (@ridwankamil)

Furthermore, Ridwan asked the regent of Pangandaran to temporarily non-activate the regency's head of civil servant and human resource office. 

But Ridwan Kamil explained on Instagram about a possible misunderstanding. According to the government of Pangandaran, the budget that Husein questioned in 2020 case was scrapped because of COVID-19. 

The governor now is trying to find the best solutions for all sides and working to avoid similar cases in the future.

"We also give the appropriate options, hopefully good for the Government of Pangandaran Regency as well as for Husein. Insya Allah, the ending will be good for all," said Governor Ridwan Kamil.

US$1: Rp14.744 (current figure)

Huyogo Simbolon and Yusron Fahmi contributed to this report.