The phenomenon of public officials’ resignations in Indonesia continues to spark debate. On the one hand, stepping down is seen as a form of moral responsibility, yet on the other hand, many view it as a strategy to avoid legal proceedings.
Recently, the case of Lieutenant General Yudi Abrimantyo, who resigned from his position as Head of the Indonesian Army Strategic Intelligence Agency (Bais TNI) following an acid attack on Kontras activist Andir Yunus, has drawn significant public attention. Previously, the simultaneous resignation of leaders from the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) and the Financial Services Authority (OJK) also occurred after a sharp decline in the Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) and a crisis of confidence in the capital market.
Responding to this phenomenon, a Public Policy and Management lecturer at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Dr. Agustinus Subarsono, stated that the resignation of officials involved in cases can be interpreted as a form of responsibility. However, Dr. Subarsono noted that not all resignations stem from genuine awareness.
At times, officials step down under pressure from superiors or public pressure, particularly on social media. He added that systemic failure can be interpreted from a culture of resignation under pressure. Nevertheless, he emphasized that in developing countries, ethics often function due to strong social control rather than pure moral awareness.
“When the political system is transparent, accountable, and democratic, more officials will adhere to ethical standards,” he explained on Tuesday (April 14).
Dr. Subarsono further stated that pressure from civil society strengthens democracy, as it operates independently of problematic power holders. He quoted Lord Acton’s famous remark, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” emphasizing that democracy requires the public to act as a political force in policymaking and legislative processes.
“The public needs to understand that their role is limited to assisting law enforcement in identifying perpetrators and overseeing legal processes, not engaging in mob justice or acts of terror,” he stressed.
Nevertheless, resigning from office does not exempt an individual from legal processes and responsibilities. He explained that the Attorney General’s Office or the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) can continue legal proceedings even after an official has stepped down.
“The prosecution can still investigate and proceed with legal action even if the individual has resigned. The resignation process may, however, be considered by judges as a mitigating factor in sentencing,” he said.
Meanwhile, regarding cases in which public officials resign without undergoing legal proceedings, Dr. Subarsono emphasized that such situations can undermine public trust and trigger public speculation. The public also has the right to apply political pressure, whether through demonstrations, petitions, or by raising awareness on social media.
“The credibility of law enforcement will be tested through the spread of such viral news,” he concluded.
Author: Diyana Khairunnisa
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Zabrina Kumara
Photo: Freepik