Businesspeople fight graft<\/p>\n
Cynics who are all too familiar with collusive practices
\nbetween businesspeople and government officials certainly
\nwondered why the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
\n(Kadin) suddenly declared a nationwide war against corruption.
\nAfter all, corruption, collusion and nepotism, which were
\nhallmarks of the authoritarian Soeharto administration, benefited
\nmostly the business community.<\/p>\n
Skeptics who view the government's political will and ability
\nto fight graft with hopelessness might simply discard as a
\npublicity gimmick Kadin's declaration last week of its National
\nCampaign Against Bribery for 2003-2004 and National Movement
\nAgainst Bribery for 2005-2015.<\/p>\n
Such cynicism and skepticism are totally understandable, given
\nthe public's perception that corruption has not decreased at all
\nduring the reform era, which was ushered in by the ousting of
\nthe Soeharto regime in May 1998.<\/p>\n
Graft practices and various other forms of malfeasance have
\ninstead been increasing and expanding, as chairman of the
\nIndonesian Employers Association Sofjan Wanandi pointed out.
\nInternational corruption watchdogs have also consistently ranked
\nIndonesia among the most corrupt countries in the world.<\/p>\n
What then is the meaning of such a rhetoric exercise, as the
\none last week by Kadin that was launched with a big bang and so
\nmuch fanfare amid the seemingly futile fight against corruption?<\/p>\n
For a start, Kadin's move convinced us that the war against
\ngraft has not ceased at all. More encouraging is Kadin's
\ninitiative as it is businesspeople, so far mostly seen as the
\nsupply of corruption, who are now emerging as the vanguard
\nagainst all kinds of malfeasance. The move is addressing the
\nsupply-side of corruption.<\/p>\n
Certainly, Kadin has yet to see through its pledge. But we
\nshould give the business association the benefit of the doubt.
\nAfter all, judging from the remarks made by Kadin chairman
\nAburizal Bakrie during the declaration of the war against
\ncorruption, the chamber seems to know what the war against
\ncorruption is really about and is realistic enough on how to go
\nabout battling the problem.<\/p>\n
Bakrie said that members of the business community, already
\nfed up with the corrupt system, are now increasingly aware that
\nthey cannot continue to survive with so much corruption, which
\nhas steadily eroded their competitiveness. Businesspeople have
\nbeen realizing, especially after the 1997 economic crisis, that
\ncorruption increases the costs of business, distorts the market
\nand drives away investment.<\/p>\n
The economic crisis jolted most businesspeople into realizing
\nthat corruption creates an environment of uncertainty in business
\noperations because once they bribe someone, they will receive
\nfurther demands. And if they don't get what they bribed for, they
\nare in no position to complain as they themselves broke the law.
\nThis vicious circle will continue as businesspeople who bribe are
\nvulnerable to blackmail and even threats.<\/p>\n
Kadin seems realistic enough not to expect quick results. Such
\nan attitude is necessary for a campaign that will certainly take
\na lot of time because the movement will require a change in
\nattitude in the private and government sectors, and in the
\npublic's perception about corruption.<\/p>\n
The experiences of most other countries, which have made
\nsignificant progress in combating corruption, show that fighting
\ngraft through business associations protects individual companies
\nfrom reprisal. Moreover, business associations allow companies to
\npresent a stronger front vis-a-vis the government in pushing for
\nreform and provide a structure that enables businesses to
\ncoordinate their positions against bribery.<\/p>\n
Kadin rightly decided to spend the next 15 months on concerted
\nefforts to instill among its members a strong anticorruption
\nstance and to build up coalitions with non-governmental
\norganizations and other groups within society in fighting graft,
\nincluding mass media organizations. These efforts will help gear
\nup the public-opinion environment for the national movement
\nagainst corruption.<\/p>\n
The Kadin move deserves the full support of NGOs and mass
\nmedia organizations as well as the public in general, because
\nonly with such well-coordinated coalitions will the nation be
\nable to fight corruption, which to date is strongly
\ninstitutionalized within the government and deeply rooted in the
\nbusiness sector.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/businesspeople-fight-graft-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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