Abstract

This study investigates networks that could facilitate corruption at the sub-national level in Indonesia, focusing on Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT). Despite anti-corruption efforts like fiscal decentralisation and accountability mechanisms such as the Sistem Informasi Pemerintahan Daerah (SIPD), corruption remains widespread. The research explores how social networks influence budget allocation and project implementation in health, education, and infrastructure, and their response to SIPD. Using a single case study methodology, it employs qualitative methods including semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and analysis of governmental documents and media reports. It aims to provide an in-depth examination of how decentralisation, intended to reduce corruption, has sometimes worsened it by giving local authorities control over financial resources without sufficient oversight. It seeks to understand how corruption is facilitated and sustained despite decentralisation and accountability measures. In doing so, the study will highlight the limitations of popular approaches to addressing corruption through principal-agent approaches, which seek to ensure accountability by strengthening the oversight of agents (e.g., local politicians) by principals (e.g., citizens). The findings are expected to provide insights into the effectiveness of SIPD and other anti-corruption initiatives, suggesting improvements for governance and policy. Ultimately, it aims to inform strategies to better combat corruption and enhance governance in Indonesia, thereby improving public service delivery.

Bio:

Ludgerus Daeng Seke (Garry) Rosario da Gama is a PhD Scholar at the Crawford School of Public Policy. Since 2007, he has worked for the Indonesian Government, particularly in Sikka District, NTT. His most recent roles were at the District Planning and Development Office/Department and the District Financial and Asset Management Office/Department in Sikka. These positions provided extensive experience in the local planning and budgeting process, which has been significantly beneficial to his research. Garry holds a Bachelor’s degree in Governmental Science from the Home Affairs Government Institute (IPDN) in West Java, under the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, and a Master of Public Policy from the Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU (2020).

Supervisory Panel:

Assoc Prof Grant W Walton, ANU (Chair), grant.walton@anu.edu.au

Professor John McCarthy, john.mccarthy@anu.edu.au

Professor Edward Aspinall, edward.aspinall@anu.edu.au

This presentation will be Online only

Zoom link: https://anu.zoom.us/j/88148165554?pwd=Th8xQ2l9QgmcX7MtIdvR6cpiwgnKjI.1

Meeting ID: 881 4816 5554

Password: 646919