We will work in coordination with Saber Pungli, and have our members in the unit."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesias Ministry of Justice and Human Rights has established a special unit to crackdown on the malpractice of illegal levies, an official of the ministry said here on Monday.

"(We start work) immediately today, but we have not been publicising our work. The focus will be on public service. For example, people wanting to visit their relative in prison were being asked to pay Rp10,000. Similarly, those in need of a passport were being asked for such bribes. We will resolve these problems," chief of the ministrys unit to stop illegal payments, Aidir Amin Daud, also an Inspector General in the ministry, said.

The unit comprises the Director General of Penitentiary I Wayan Dusak, Director General of Immigration Ronny F Sompie, Director General of Intellectual Property temporarily being helmed by Aidir Amin Daud, Director General of Legal Administration (AHU) Freddy Harris, and Justice and Human Rights Minister Yassona H Laoly, who will be the units advisor.

"We want to convey the ministers resolve about law enforcement and taking strict measures. We want to remind everyone that there will be zero tolerance from now onwards," Aidir added.

Officers found asking for illegal payments would be punished. They will face disciplinary punishment and even dismissal.

"The minister has made it clear that strict measures will be in place. Violators could be sacked, but of course it will depend on the seriousness of their mistakes. Some may be sacked, others may face disciplinary punishment. Anyone found using drugs will be dismissed. So far, we have dismissed 21 officers," Aidir disclosed.

He noted that the team would work in coordination with the Task Force on Illegal Payments (Saber Pungli), established by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on October 11.

"We will work in coordination with Saber Pungli, and have our members in the unit. We will give them reports on alleged illegal payment practices, and they will launch operations to catch such people red-handed," he revealed.

Aidir added, the Illegal Payment Denunciation Unit would keep the identity of all informers a secret.

Those who want to file a complaint regarding alleged illegal payment could call the ministrys hotlines at 08111377801 or 08111377802 (Secretary General), 08111377803 (Inspector General), 08111377804 (Director General of Penitentiary), 08111377805 (Director General of Legal Administration), 08111377806 (Director General of Property Rights) and 08111804700 (Director General of Immigration).

(Reported by Desca Lidya Natalia/Uu.S022/INE/KR-BSR/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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