Anticipating the Use of Fake GPS on the First Day of Work for ASN After Eid Holidays

The discovery of the use of the Fake GPS application by civil servants in several regions to manipulate the attendance system deserves attention on the first day of work after the Eid holiday. Oversight relies on the leaders of each government agency, as the attendance systems in each agency vary.

The use of the Fake GPS application or fake location software by civil servants (ASN) to manipulate the attendance system has recently become widespread following findings in Seluma Regency, Bengkulu. In that region, hundreds of civil servants were caught misusing online attendance systems by using Fake GPS.

Previously, such fraudulent practices were also found in other local governments, such as Baubau, Southeast Sulawesi, and Selayar Islands Regency, South Sulawesi.

The Nyepi and Eid holiday for civil servants, which began on March 28, has ended on Monday (7/4/2025). On Tuesday (8/4/2025), civil servants are required to return to work. However, some are still allowed to work from anywhere or from home. This latest policy from the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform is aimed at alleviating the congestion of post-Eid return traffic. Starting Wednesday (9/4/2025), civil servants are mandated to work in the office.

The Head of the National Civil Service Agency (BKN), Zudan Arif Fakrulloh, when contacted from Jakarta on Sunday (6/4/2025), stated that the current work model for civil servants (ASN) has already implemented two flexibilities, namely in terms of time and location. This means that if a civil servant is late in clocking in or arriving at work by 1 hour, their departure time will also be extended by 1 hour.

While the flexibility of the place with work from anywhere allows employees to be absent from any location. Unless, the office policy is work from home so that absences can only be done in the home area because there is a location locking arrangement for presence.

"So, we use two authentication factors, one is the coordinate location, the second is the photo of the face. Well, it works anywhere actually, so there is no need to use Fake GPS or anything like that," he said.

No need for anything 'fake,' thus every institution must establish a system for daily performance evaluation. It is possible to replicate the system at BKN, and we also welcome its use. We are open to adopting the system used at BKN.

Nevertheless, the tools or attendance applications used by each institution, both at the central and regional levels, vary. Therefore, he regretted the use of Fake GPS by employees for attendance purposes.

BKN, continued Zudan, cannot do much regarding the attendance system applied in each agency because its policy depends on the Personnel Supervisory Officer (PPK) and the leadership of each agency. However, Zudan recommended that each agency adopt the attendance system implemented at the central level.

"There is no need for fake ones, so every agency must create a system for daily performance evaluation, we can also allow replicating the system at BKN. We are open to using the system at BKN," he said.

Zudan also emphasized that ASN should be honest and open to the leaders of their respective agencies if they are still unable to attend or have difficulty with attendance. Because, ASN is prioritized for its performance and productivity, not the accuracy of the work location.

Head of the Data, Communication, and Public Information Bureau of the Ministry of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform (Kemenpan and RB) Mohammad Averrouce conveyed the same thing. The Nyepi and Lebaran holidays received by ASN are long enough so that it is hoped that there will be no more attempts to trick the system.

Moreover, the government has implemented a flexible working arrangement (FWA) policy to make official duties more flexible. The leaders of each agency certainly have an agreement with ASN regarding the flexibility in question, including the location of attendance. Thus, employees do not need to falsify attendance.

"In terms of technological systems, I think every agency has also anticipated (the use of Fake GPS). This is in line with the experience of its implementation throughout the Covid-19 pandemic," he said.

Referring to Kompas's research, each agency has different attendance applications and policies, including between the center and regions. One government agency in DI Yogyakarta, for example, its attendance system will not accept absences that are indicated to be using the third-party Fake GPS application. The message "Warning! Indication of location fraud has occurred" will appear.

Separately, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto confirmed that there will be no additional leave for ASN working in his ministry. The first day of work will still fall on April 8, 2025. He will use the opportunity to hold halalbihalal and monitor the performance of his employees after undergoing a long holiday.

However, Bima continued, there are some employees who may not carry out their duties directly in the office. This is because the government has issued a work-from-anywhere policy to reduce the density of the return flow.

"If anyone adds a holiday without any notification, of course there will be a mechanism for imposing sanctions in the form of warnings, administrative sanctions, and others. That has been regulated. We are ready to give strict sanctions," said Bima.

The Minister of Population and Family Development Wihaji will implement the same thing. He will make the first day of work as a halalbihalal moment. After that, all employees will be asked to continue their respective employee duties.

Regarding the WFA policy, Wihaji invited ASN to take it if their conditions did not allow them to immediately enter the office. However, he asked that their duties be carried out as usual. For that, there must be a clear work report to the leadership ranks. Without it, sanctions and reprimands await them.

"It's automatic (sanctions). We already have a system. If the permit is official, it can know the reason (not included). And, all, right, must get my approval. For example, later sanctions can affect performance allowances, that's in our system," said Wihaji.

Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf tried to understand if there were some employees of his ministry who had to take WFA. Especially for those who had difficulty finding return tickets. For that, the halalbihalal event will be postponed to the second day of work, namely on April 9, 2025.

To employees who take WFA, Saifullah reminded them not to leave their jobs. All work must be reported considering that their work is continuously monitored.

"If you don't come in (to work) without notification, yes, we will give sanctions. This is done continuously under supervision. And, those who are WFA must also report what they are working on," said Saifullah.