PORTALJABAR, DISTRICT. GARUT - Deputy Regent of Garut, dr. Helmi Budiman, led the event to launch a Joint Commitment to Establish an Anti-Corruption Village at the Kassiti Fave Hotel Ballroom, Jalan Raya Cimanuk, Tarogong Kidul District, Garut Regency, Kamus (28/12/2023). This event was attended by village heads from all over Garut Regency, marking the regional government's serious steps in fighting corruption.

In his speech, Deputy Regent Helmi emphasized the importance of establishing integrity zones as a preventive and promotive effort to prevent corruption at the village level.

"We are following the Corruption Eradication Commission's direction to build integrity zones, which are not only important in regional government, but also in village government," he explained.

Helmi Budiman mentioned Wanajaya Village in Wanaraja District as an example of success in establishing an integrity zone. He hopes that similar initiatives can be followed by other villages to facilitate guidance and supervision.

The Deputy Regent also revealed that there were corruption cases in Garut Regency, with two cases that had been resolved and three were still in the process of being investigated. He believes that the establishment of integrity zones and good systems can reduce, even eliminate, opportunities for corruption.

Helmi Budiman invited village heads to work with integrity and support the corruption prevention system.

"We need hard work and a solid system to prevent corruption, including orderly administration and clear regulations," he added.

At the end of his speech, the Deputy Regent of Garut appealed to village heads to remind each other and consult with each other regarding preventing corruption, including consulting with the Regional Inspectorate.

"Immediately follow up on recommendations from the Inspectorate to improve and prevent corruption," he stressed, closing the event.

Meanwhile, the Head of Wanajaya Village, Iip Firman Nurdin, commented on his success in building an integrity zone in his area. Iip revealed that the choice of Wanajaya Village as an anti-corruption pilot village was a form of his commitment as village head, as well as the first step when he ran for village head who had a vision and mission regarding a corruption-free area in village government.

"So it is not only a friendly and child-friendly village, but an anti-corruption model village. In the integrity zone there is WBK, one of which is a corruption-free area, there is WBBM, there is a clean and serving bureaucratic area," said Iip.

He emphasized that as an anti-corruption model village, his party emphasizes all village officials to be able to provide services to the community wholeheartedly.

Iip also revealed that he was very enthusiastic when Wanajaya Village was designated as an anti-corruption pilot village representing Garut Regency.

"Thank God, yesterday I received an award directly from the Governor directly in Cirebon representing Garut Regency," he said.

Regarding the integrity zone in preventing corruption in the village work environment, Iip said that his party emphasizes several things, one of which is socialization regarding the role of the village, all institutions and the community so that they work together to avoid acts of corruption.

"My hope is that an integrity zone will be built in Wanajaya Village, hopefully this will be the forerunner and this will be the last fortress as long as I serve as village head, where all of this work process will be serious, whether people who come or outside the institution I will be serious," he said.