Social Affairs Ministry sanctions 620 employees over online gambling

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2 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Social Affairs has imposed severe disciplinary sanctions on 620 employees within the ministry found to be involved in online gambling.

Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf on Tuesday said the sanctions were the result of an in-depth analysis and clarification by the Ministry’s Inspectorate General of data on more than 1,900 employees previously received from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK).

The PPATK analysis previously reported that 1,900 employees within the ministry, both central and regional, were suspected of being involved in online gambling transactions, with an average value of Rp4 million (US$217) and a maximum value exceeding Rp2 billion (US$108 thousand).

“Based on the in-depth investigation, 620 employees, or 32.63 percent, are suspected of committing serious disciplinary violations,” Yusuf remarked.

He explained that severe sanctions for Government Employees with Employment Agreements (PPPK) include involuntary termination of employment (PHK).

For civil servants, this includes demotion to a lower rank, dismissal from their position to an acting position for 12 months, and involuntary honorable dismissal.

While he did not elaborate, the minister confirmed that his office had issued Ministerial Decree (SK) Number 11/MS/KP.06.08/9/2026 concerning the Imposition of Severe Disciplinary Sanctions on Civil Servants, including dismissal from their position to an acting position for 12 months.

In addition, the ministry also recorded 719 employees (37.84 percent) committing minor disciplinary violations and 561 employees (29.53 percent) committing moderate disciplinary violations.

The level of sanctions imposed is adjusted according to the Minister of Social Affairs Regulation Number 5 of 2023 based on parameters such as transaction intensity, the amount of money used, and the duration of the activity, whether during or after work hours.

“We will continue to strengthen our oversight and will not hesitate to take firm yet measured action if any employees are found to violate their oath of office and code of ethics,” Yusuf remarked.