Himpunan Mahasiswa Islam (HMI) Komisariat Teknologi Cabang Pandeglang recently staged a demonstration outside the building of the Bank Perkreditan Rakyat (BPR) and the Dinas Pemberdayaan Masyarakat dan Desa (DPMPD). The demonstrators accused certain sects of corrupt practices related to the automatic deduction of funds from the fixed income of village apparatuses in Kabupaten Pandeglang on Thursday, May 25th.
Ketua Umum HMI Cabang Pandeglang Komisariat di UNMA and demonstrator Moh Ilham, led the demonstration, citing evidence they collected indicating that some village apparatuses complained about the automatic withdrawal of funds by BPR. According to him, the purpose of these contributions is unclear, and their execution every month is alarming. Ilham emphasized that the amounts calculated from the apparatuses of all villages in Kabupaten Pandeglang, which are 35 kecamatan excluding kelurahan, are significant.
This issue falls under the category of pungli, a corrupt practice and an extraordinary crime that the authorities must eradicate. In reference to the KUHP, those who threaten or coerce others to give something face a maximum penalty of nine years in prison.
Ilham insists that the bank does not have a solid foundation or a consistent policy regarding automatic withdrawals from its clients, particularly in relation to the fixed income of village apparatuses. Furthermore, the action taken by BPR violates established law, making it a cause for concern for the HMI and other organizations focused on social issues in the Republic of Indonesia.
Cortis Korlap 2 voiced his thoughts on DPMPD as well, stating that they are closely connected ethically and organizationally with village apparatuses. Cortis noticed that the DPMPD often remains silent when issues arise within the villages, which does not help the overall situation. He recommends that DPMPD maximize the potential of BUMDes in Kabupaten Pandeglang, which currently has not been realized. On the other hand, BPR, which should be a lifeline for the community, is a source of confusion due to its opaque banking system.
Subsequently, HMI Komisariat Teknologi Cabang Pandeglang staged a demonstration with the help of all HMI Pandeglang cadres and put forward their demands to both BPR and DPMPD. Among these demands, they asked the DPMD to take responsibility for allegations of corruption related to the automatic withdrawal of compensation from village apparatuses in Kabupatem Pandeglang. Additionally, the HMI asked the DPMPD to provide written statements indicating their unwillingness to intervene in the budget of village funds throughout the communities in Kabupaten Pandeglang and their willingness to take advantage of BUMDes. Finally, the HMI also demanded that BPR Pandeglang take responsibility for the automatic withdrawal of funds from village apparatuses’ fixed income originating from APBDS without any clear legal basis.
The HMI also questioned the early tax deductions levied on Dana Desa (DD) and anggaran Dana Desa (ADD). They argued that the practice was illegal since the village is supposed to pay after executing a specific event, not before. The HMI suspected some officials in DPMPD and, to some extent, the leader of the BPR in their area of authority for the unlawful act.
In conclusion, the HMI demanded the authorities investigate and bring corrupt officials to justice. The authorities must take appropriate corrective measures, prevent similar offences, and enforce the rule of law in the communities in Kabupaten Pandeglang.
