Going Abroad Without Permission, Indramayu Regent Lucky Hakim: I Was Wrong, I Apologize

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – After being questioned by the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Indramayu Regent Lucky Hakim admitted to leaving the country without permission. Although he stated that he left at his own expense, the government still conducted a thorough investigation.

Lucky Hakim was questioned at the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri), Jakarta, Tuesday (8/4/2025) at 13.00-16.30 WIB. When met at the Kemendagri office, Lucky stated that he had received around 43 questions regarding his vacation trip to Japan.

Lucky admitted that his departure with his family was without the knowledge and permission of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Governor of West Java. However, he argued that he did not know the obligations of a regional head regarding the obligation to permit because he was still on Eid leave.

This mistake started from Lucky's understanding of overseas travel permits which were considered only for work trips and using the state budget. Later, he learned that this also applies to all trips.

"So this was purely a family vacation and using personal funds. So, I went without a permit. But here it was my fault. Of course I apologize, especially to the people of Indramayu," said Lucky.

Moreover, the preparedness of the regional head is very much needed in religious holidays. Lucky realized that, so he admitted that he had sorted out all the affairs and agendas before deciding to go on vacation abroad.

"During Eid, I still received guests during the open house. On the second day of Eid, I was still monitoring the homecoming traffic. After that, I was at the Pendopo alone at that time, there was no one in the office. That's where my assumption arose, this is a joint leave, and I can take a vacation before the office reopens," said Lucky.

But this assumption is wrong. Lucky also just realized that the duties he carries as a regional head do not have holidays. Unlike state civil servants (ASN) who have joint leave, regional heads must always be on standby in their respective regions for 24 hours, and cannot even go abroad as they please.

This obligation is implied in Article 76 Paragraph (1) points (i) and (j) of Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government (UU Pemda). Point (i) states that regional heads and deputy regional heads are prohibited from traveling abroad without the minister's permission.

Meanwhile, point (j) states that regional heads and deputy regional heads are also prohibited from leaving their duties and work areas for more than seven consecutive days, or not consecutively within one month without permission.

The granting of this permit is carried out by the Minister for the governor, while the permit for the regent and deputy regent as well as the mayor and deputy mayor is in the hands of the governor.

"It turned out to be a mistake. Although my intention was not to skip school and abandon my obligations, but this has happened and I am ready for all the consequences," he said.

In fact, Lucky admitted that this mistake was only realized after the Governor of West Java, Dedi Mulyadi, made a sarcasm through social media. "After knowing that (social media), I immediately contacted him and apologized. Tomorrow (Wednesday, 9/4) afternoon I will also meet him (the Governor of West Java)," said Lucky.

The consequences of this violation are in Article 77 Paragraph (2) of the Regional Government Law, which states that regional heads/deputy regional heads who go abroad without permission will be subject to a sanction of temporary suspension for three months by the president for governors/deputy governors and by the minister for regents/deputy regents or mayors/deputy mayors.

"I am ready for the consequences (temporary suspension). However, the decision is made by the Ministry of Home Affairs," said Lucky.

However, Lucky did not immediately receive the temporary suspension sanction. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya stated that there were still mechanisms that had to be taken before Lucky received his punishment.

One of them, Bima continued, is to ensure that the funds used by Lucky while on vacation abroad do not come from the state budget. However, he ensured that sanctions were given proportionally and adjusted to the context of his mistake.

"We will continue to develop this process and in due course will announce the decision to the public. The investigation is currently being conducted internally and comprehensively. This means that this error must be placed in a proportional context," he explained.

Lucky's mistake, Bima continued, should be a lesson for other regional heads. He asked the leaders to re-understand their rights and obligations.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Bima continued, also did not rule out the possibility of providing further training to regional heads in addition to the retreat held by the central government.

"This warning applies to all regional heads, who need to study and re-learn all regulations related to their main duties and functions," said Bima.

Professor of the Institute of Home Affairs Djohermansyah Djohan views the Lucky Hakim case as showing that there are still regional heads who do not understand the rules that bind them. In fact, he considers the provision carried out by regional heads who have just taken office after the 2024 Pilkada is still insufficient.

"It is clear that this briefing is still inadequate, as was done previously at the Military Academy complex. It was only a week. In fact, the briefing of regional heads in the previous period could be done up to four weeks," he said.

Therefore, the mistake made by Lucky, continued Djohermansyah, is a momentum to increase the knowledge of regional heads and deputy heads. Moreover, there are many new regional leaders from the 2024 Regional Head Elections.

"This is a momentum to improve the knowledge of regional heads related to their government. The Ministry of Home Affairs must also prepare in the future to create a legal umbrella related to this training because it is their right (regional heads)," said Djohermansyah.