Corruption a cultural problem: Experts<\/p>\n
SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Corruption in Indonesia has
\nbecome so ingrained in the nation's culture that wiping it out
\nwill require a cultural approach, two scholars argued on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
Amien Rais, an international relations expert and leader of
\nMuhammadiyah, a Moslem organization with 28 million members, said
\nthat corruption is out of control in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"Corruption in this country has already reached an alarming
\nlevel. It is getting to the point where it could create social
\njealousy and undermine the unity of the country,\" said Amien.
\n\"When it comes to corruption, Indonesia is the world champion.\"<\/p>\n
Mere commitment on the part of the government to wiping out
\ncorruption is not enough, he argued, action is needed.<\/p>\n
Scholars and ulemas, in particular, should have the courage to
\nfight corruption, said Amien, who is a lecturer at Gadjah Mada
\nUniversity in Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
The rector of Diponegoro University in Semarang, Muladi, said
\ncorruption had reached a point at which it is now difficult to
\nstop it growing, let alone eliminate it.<\/p>\n
Corruption is not simply a legal problem, he said, but is more
\nof a cultural problem, meaning that a cultural approach should be
\nused in the fight against it.<\/p>\n
More specifically, he said a major transformation was taking
\nplace in Indonesian values, and that some traditional values --
\nsuch as \"doing good deeds and working hard\" -- are in danger of
\nextinction.<\/p>\n
\"Corruption is occurring because people have come to accept
\nthat the end justifies the means. The most important thing is to
\nget as much money as one can without having to work or obey the
\nlaw,\" said Muladi, who is also a member of the National
\nCommission on Human Rights.<\/p>\n
Muladi proposed that the world of higher education,
\nparticularly business schools, teach business ethics and
\nprofessional ethics to their students.<\/p>\n
He added that the courts should punish corruption with the
\nheaviest sentences available. (har\/emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/corruption-a-cultural-problem-experts-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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