Dr. Rimawan Pradiptyo, a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM), is widely known as an economist who actively advocates anti-corruption issues.
His contributions in academia and policy advocacy have significantly impacted education, corruption eradication, and safeguarding Indonesia’s constitutional integrity.
In recognition of his efforts, Tempo magazine honored Dr. Pradiptyo in 2024 for his persistent criticism of corruption case handling and for developing a method to calculate the social costs of corruption.
Dr. Pradiptyo has been deeply engaged in crime economics since 2002, when he worked as a researcher in the UK. In 2009, he began building a corruption database based on court rulings, which has now reached its fifth phase and covers cases from 2001 to 2018.
Additionally, he initiated the MSc in Economics of Crime program at FEB UGM in 2009. His development of a methodology to calculate the social costs of corruption has helped quantify the economic damage caused by corruption.
“This method has been used as training material by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) since 2014 and has also been adopted by the Attorney General’s Office in corruption case handling since 2020,” he stated at FEB UGM on Wednesday (Feb. 12).
He explained that the social cost of corruption calculation provides a new perspective: corruption does not only harm state finances but also has far-reaching economic consequences.
The method offers society a clearer understanding of the extent of corruption’s damage to the economy. It also raises the question of whether court rulings adequately reflect the economic losses incurred.
“Sometimes, court decisions acknowledge economic losses, but the imposed sentences do not fully accommodate the magnitude of those losses,” he remarked.
As an approachable and communicative individual, Dr. Pradiptyo actively engages with fellow academics within and beyond UGM. In 2011, he initiated the Gerakan Masyarakat Akademis untuk Transparansi Indonesia (Gemati), a movement for academic transparency in Indonesia, which initially used Blackberry Messenger for communication.
Six years later, he played a key role in the UGM Berintegritas movement, which garnered over 1,000 UGM faculty signatures in support of KPK’s handling of the E-KTP corruption case and opposition to the special inquiry committee against KPK.
Despite facing threats, Dr. Pradiptyo remained firm in his stance against the 2019 revision of the KPK Law, demonstrating his commitment to upholding the integrity of state institutions. He continuously provides constructive, evidence-based criticism to protect the constitution.
He has also initiated various WhatsApp groups as communication platforms to discuss pressing societal issues.
Dr. Pradiptyo voiced his concerns over the Constitutional Court’s decision on Oct. 16, 2023, which altered the age requirement for presidential and vice-presidential candidates. In response, he supported a movement initiated by the Head of UGM’s Center for Pancasila Studies, Dr. Agus Wahyudi, which led to the Bulaksumur Petition on Jan. 31, 2024.
This movement served as a reminder to the government regarding deviations from ethical and democratic principles. Similar petitions soon emerged from academics at various universities across Indonesia.
“We all remember the Kampus Menggugat movement on Mar. 12, 2024, when UGM academics and alumni gathered at Balairung UGM. Then, on Apr. 21, 2024, coinciding with Kartini Day, Kampus Menggugat again voiced a strong stance at Balairung UGM to uphold ethical values in governance,” he elaborated.
Dr. Pradiptyo refuses to back down, persistently highlighting constitutional violations that have gone beyond legal amendments to threaten the core of the constitution itself directly. He consistently emphasizes that the constitution is the nation’s foundation and should not be recklessly altered for the benefit of a select few.
“If we, as academics, remain silent when the country is in crisis, we might not even act when a foreign power invades our nation,” he warned.
He stressed the crucial role of academics in educating the nation, as outlined in the fourth paragraph of the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution. He pointed out that the constitutional mandate to educate the country is about making people knowledgeable and fostering integrity.
“Academics may make mistakes, but they must remain honest. UGM, as a university born out of struggle, must continuously reposition itself, criticize flawed policies, and support just policies,” he asserted.
Dr. Pradiptyo also frequently reminds his peers of the importance of ongoing reform. He encourages academics to advocate for evidence-based policy and take a leading role in safeguarding democracy.
“Criticism is a fundamental part of democracy, and academics have a significant responsibility to speak the truth for the better future of Indonesia,” he concluded.
Reporter: FEB UGM/Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
Author: Agung Nugroho