As regulated in Article 9 paragraph (2) of Law Number 20 of 2023 Concerning State Civil Apparatus states “ASN employees must be free from the influence and intervention of all groups and political parties.

In this case, the Acting Regent of Sorong has violated aspects of neutrality and corrupt actions while serving as a leader in the regional executive sphere. If referring to the explanation of Article 2 letter f of Law Number 20 of 2023, it states: “every ASN employee is impartial from all forms of influence and does not side with other interests outside the interests of the nation and state.”

In implementation, the practical politics carried out by the Acting Regent of Sorong Regency will lead to actions of money politic and undemocratic behavior in political contestation. Referring to Article 22E paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution (UUD) states:General elections are held directly, publicly, freely, secretly, honestly and fairly every five years”.

In the election of the Acting Regional Head as an official to fill the vacancy of the definitive Regional Head's term of office, his independence must be taken into account. The attitude of independence of an Acting Regional Head must be the main issue to see the potential to be influenced and controlled by outside parties while carrying out his duties as a public service.

Worries cheating in political contestation will result in tension that leads to conflict. The appointment of the Acting Regional Head cannot guarantee independence and impartiality with one of the election contestants. Permendagri Number 4 of 2023 only regulates the requirements for competence or experience as a government administrator. However, it does not regulate the attitude of independence of prospective Acting Regional Heads and is certainly very important to prevent conflicts of interest with outside parties.

Former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) Hamdan Zoelva asked the Government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri), to guarantee the independence and impartiality of regional head officials, who will fill vacant positions, ahead of the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Head Elections (Pilkada).

It has been proven that the Acting Regent of Sorong Regency is biased towards the election contestation candidate pair with the discovery of integrity pact documents.

The duties of the Acting Regional Head are based on Law Number 20 of 2023 which states:implementing public policies, providing public services, and strengthening the unity and integrity of the State and the Unitary Republic of Indonesia."