The Indonesian Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) Finds Irregularities in Civil Servant Travel Budget Reaching Rp39.26 Billion

The Indonesian Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) reported irregularities totaling Rp39.26 billion (approximately USD 2.6 million) in 2023 travel expenses from 46 ministries/institutions (K/L). This is detailed in the Audit Report (LHP) on the Internal Control System and Compliance with the Provisions of Central Government Regulations in 2023.

Four main irregularities were identified: non-compliant travel; lack of travel expense documentation; fictitious travel; and other irregularities.

First, the most frequent irregularity was non-compliant travel or excessive spending, found in 38 K/L totaling Rp19.65 billion. The General Election Commission (KPU) has yet to return Rp10.57 billion in excess travel funds to the state treasury. Furthermore, BRIN's travel expenses of Rp1.5 billion could not be verified, and the Ministry of Law and Human Rights lacked supporting documentation for accommodation expenses totaling Rp1.3 billion.

Second, 14 K/L failed to provide travel documentation, amounting to Rp14.75 billion. This includes the National Food Agency (Bapanas) with Rp5 billion, the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) with Rp211.81 million, and the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI) with Rp7.4 billion.

Third, the BPK also found fictitious travel expenses totaling Rp9.3 million. Some were detected at the Ministry of Home Affairs (Rp1.48 million due to non-existent trips) and BRIN (Rp6.8 million due to fictitious accommodation payments).

Fourth, other travel irregularities totaling Rp4.84 billion were found in 23 K/L. This includes the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) with Rp1.14 billion, the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform (PANRB) with Rp792.17 million, and the Ministry of Agriculture with Rp571.73 million.

Regarding these issues, the BPK requested that the relevant K/L deposit Rp12.79 billion into the state treasury.