Corruption is the root of all evil: Kwik<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The State Minister of National Development Planning, Kwik Kian
\nGie, said all the nation's problems stemmed from rampant
\ncorruption, collusion and nepotism, known by the Indonesian
\nacronym KKN.<\/p>\n
"KKN is the root of all evil," Kwik told graduates of the
\nIndonesian People's Institute of Administration (Stiakin) on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
He said KKN had destroyed the conscience, mentality and even
\nintegrity of decision makers, leading to nonsensical policies.<\/p>\n
"We are now witnessing the moral decadence of state officials
\nat almost all levels, as reflected by the rampant practice of
\nKKN... it also happens within business circles," Kwik said.<\/p>\n
As an executive of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan), Kwik once rated his party among the
\nmost corrupt. His statement was heavily criticized by his
\ncolleagues, some demanding he exit the party.<\/p>\n
Kwik said KKN within the country had caused Rp 180 trillion
\n(US$21.4 billion) in state losses, not to mention the alleged
\nmisuse of routine, regional and development expenditures in the
\nbudget amounting to about Rp 35 trillion.<\/p>\n
Citing further cases, he said stolen sand, fish and timber
\ncost the country $8 billion, while the wasted subsidy for 10
\nrecapitalized banks reached Rp 14 trillion last year.<\/p>\n
"KKN in the state gas and mining firm Pertamina and other
\nstate enterprises and the blackmail of banks that received
\nblanket guarantees by officials from the Bank Restructuring
\nAgency (IBRA) are the worst examples," Kwik said without
\nelaborating.<\/p>\n
The Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) announced in August the alleged
\nmisuse of funds worth Rp 20.9 billion by Bank Indonesia and IBRA.<\/p>\n
However, the central bank denied the allegations.<\/p>\n
The seemingly rampant corruption in the country was recently
\ndisclosed by the Berlin-based Transparency International which
\nranked Indonesia the sixth most corrupt country in the world.<\/p>\n
To combat the corruption, Kwik suggested the implementation of
\na "carrot and stick" or reward and punishment system, whereby
\ncivil servants and the military would be appraised according to
\ntheir performances.<\/p>\n
"Those with a heavier workload and greater responsibilities
\ndeserve higher salaries. The structure of a remuneration system
\nmust be formulated in a fair and proportional way," he said.<\/p>\n
"If they have already received incentives but are still
\ncorrupt the 'stick' or punishment should be heavier," he said.<\/p>\n
He recommended the death penalty or life imprisonment for
\nconvicted corruptors.<\/p>\n
"Most rulers are corrupt because they are driven or persuaded
\nby wives, husbands or children. The form of punishment could be
\nto declare them bankrupt," he said.<\/p>\n
Kwik underlined that the eradication of corruption should
\nstart from the top leader, who he said must set a good example.<\/p>\n
"They must not commit KKN, otherwise they will face heavy
\npunishment. (But) they have to get tough with corrupters as
\nwell," he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/corruption-is-the-root-of-all-evil-kwik-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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