INDONESIA’S Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced recently that the use of a private jet by Kaesang Pangarep, son of former president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, during his trip to the United States in August does not constitute graft. The KPK justified this decision by noting that Kaesang is not a non-state official. The investigation began when Kaesang and wife Erina Gudono used the private jet owned by an entrepreneur linked to a business partnership with Gibran Rakabuming, Kaesang’s older brother and Indonesia’s current Vice-President, from his time as the Surakarta mayor in Central Java.
The decision has met with considerable public criticism. Many argue that, although Kaesang is not a government official, his close association with high-ranking officials should necessitate deeper scrutiny, especially considering how the luxurious lifestyles of officials’ families have exposed corruption in the past. This was evident in the notable case of Mario Dandy, whose extravagant lifestyle eventually led to the exposure of his tax officer father Rafael Alun Trisambodo’s illicit financial activities.
Comparing this with a similar case Singapore reveals a stark difference in accountability. Former Singaporean Transportation Minister S. Iswaran, faces a 12-month prison sentence for using a private jet for personal travel.
This strict response demonstrates Singapore’s zero-tolerance stance on graft and its commitment to integrity in public service. This case high.
