Aldela’s Attorney Questions Premature Appointment of Acting Head of Education Office
PEKANBARU-JAYA NEWS.COM— The case involving the Head of the Education Office (Kacabdisdik) Region III, Aldela, S.Ag., M.Pd.I., is not isolated. The case stemmed from allegations of extortion involving Aldela’s name in connection with the handling of a complaint letter from an NGO regarding alleged misappropriation of the 2021–2022 School Operational Assistance (BOS) Funds, a period during which Indonesia was still experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Aldela’s attorney, Jaka Marhen, SH, the NGO’s letter was not only addressed to 13 high school/vocational school principals in Kampar Regency, but also a copy was sent to Aldela, the Head of Education Office Region III, whose jurisdiction covers Kampar, Pekanbaru, and Rokan Hulu.
Following up on the letter, Aldela then wrote to 13 school principals to request clarification on whether they had received the complaint letter from the NGO in question. In their clarification, all principals confirmed receiving the letter and requested mediation to resolve the issue.
“In this context, our client acted as the structural superior requested by the principals for mediation,” stated Jaka Marhen, Aldela’s attorney, in a press release on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
*Fund Flow and Inspectorate Audit*
During the mediation process, Jaka continued, a mutual agreement was reached among the principals. The 13 principals agreed to pool Rp 2 million each, which was then pooled through one of the principals and handed over to Aldela, who then forwarded it to the NGO who sent the complaint letter.
According to the attorney, this fact was documented in the Inspectorate’s investigation, including the flow of funds.
However, what is of concern is that none of the 13 school principals have ever filed an official report with the Riau Provincial Education Office or law enforcement regarding the alleged extortion.
“This raises major questions. There was no report from the so-called victims, but instead, this case was strongly driven by pressure from student groups and NGOs who demonstrated at the Education Office and the Riau Regional Police,” said Jaka.
He said this situation raises questions: what interests are behind this issue, and why have the parties directly involved never filed a report.
*Administrative Objection to the Appointment of Acting Principal*
Amidst this controversy, Aldela then received Riau Governor’s Decree No. Kpts.1189/XII/2025, dated December 30, 2025, regarding the imposition of disciplinary sanctions in the form of demotion to a lower position for 12 months.
However, before the 15-day administrative period stipulated in the decree expired, the Riau Provincial Education Office issued a Task Order for the Acting Head of the Education Office Region III on January 2, 2026.
“Our client does not object to disciplinary sanctions. What we question is the procedure. The administrative transition period has not yet concluded, but the position is already being treated as if it were vacant,” Jaka asserted.
According to him, this step has the potential to violate the General Principles of Good Governance (AUPB), ignore the administrative rights of civil servants, and could be classified as an unprocedural action or maladministration.
*Further Steps*
To fully and fairly address this issue, he stated that he would write to the 13 school principals, as well as the student groups and NGOs that held the demonstration, requesting official clarification.
“This is important so that the issue does not rest on one-sided assumptions. All parties must be heard so that no one feels disadvantaged and administrative criminalization does not occur,” Jaka Marhen concluded. (ST)**
Source:
Jaka Marhaein
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