Collusion and bureaucracy<\/p>\n
Economic guru Prof. Soemitro Djojohadikusumo has spoken out
\nsharply against the practice of collusion between government
\nofficials and conglomerates. Our senior economist admits that
\ncollusion occurs everywhere, even in industrially advanced
\ncountries. This, however, is no excuse for tolerating the
\npractice.<\/p>\n
This kind of statement is actually nothing new. But complaints
\nagainst the practice have increased lately since a number of
\nlarge-scale economic crimes emerged into the public view and
\nsince it became known that they occurred due to collusion between
\nofficials and businessmen. The Bapindo case is a prime example.<\/p>\n
Clearly, the root of the problem is bureaucratic weakness. For
\ncertain, collusion takes place as a result of relationships
\nbetween the bureaucracy and the business world that are two
\nclose. This would not be a problem if those close relationships
\nexisted on a purely professional plane. But more often than not
\nthey occur in the context of collusion.<\/p>\n
It will be clear that such overly close relationships
\nconstitute a form of conditioning that has developed as a result
\nof the excessively large role which the bureaucracy plays. The
\nbureaucracy decides when certain facilities should be given or
\nwithheld. As a consequence, groups for approaching the
\nbureaucrats by a variety of means have formed.<\/p>\n
The only way to curtail this practice is to start from above.
\nThe reason is simple: collusion is an infraction involving
\ngovernment officials. The ones who can prevent collusion or
\nimpose sanctions are in superior positions. This means that a
\ngenuine political will is needed.<\/p>\n
At the same time the public must be given the freedom to
\ncontrol the bureaucracy. In this respect the roles of the press,
\nthe House of Representatives and the public at large are of
\ndecisive importance.<\/p>\n
The question is, do we dare to do it?<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/collusion-and-bureaucracy-1447902657", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }