Minister Suggests Dismissal of Civil Servants Involved in Illegal Sale of COVID-19 Vaccine

INDUSTRY.co.id - Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reforms Tjahjo Kumolo suggested the dismissal of State Civil Apparatus (ASN) involved in illegal sale of COVID-19 vaccines in North Sumatra.

“These civil servants must receive appropriate punishment if proven guilty. I suggested their dismissal,” the Minister said in Jakarta, Saturday (22/5).

The three civil servants have been named as suspects and detained after being investigated.

Based on Law Number 5 of 2014 on State Civil Apparatus (ASN) and Government Regulation Number 11 of 2017 on Management of Civil Servants, if a civil servant is found guilty of committing criminal offences, the civil servant can be dishonorably dismissed. While waiting for the completion of legal process, the said civil servant can be temporarily suspended.

Tjahjo expressed hope that strict law enforcement for civil servants who are proven to have committed a criminal offense can have a deterrent effect. “We must strictly enforce the rules so that something like this does not happen again in the future,” he added.

The Minister also expressed his disappointment on the civil servants. “COVID-19 Vaccination is a national program that we must support. ASNs must set an example, not the opposite,” he said, adding that ASNs should act and behave in accordance with applicable legal provisions.

As a follow-up plan to this incident, the Ministry will immediately send a letter to the relevant Personnel Supervisor Officers (PPK) to carry out an inspection according to the applicable provisions. During the legal process the individuals concerned will be temporarily suspended as civil servants.