Curbing corruption
\nin customs offices<\/p>\n
It is staggering to hear that corruption is widespread within
\nthe Customs, Excise and Tax Directorate General, Ministry of
\nFinance. The Jakarta Post revealed on March 31 the modus operandi
\nof corrupt retired officials connected to the more than 1,500
\n\"phantom\" import companies, whose licenses were recently
\nsuspended by the government.<\/p>\n
State revenue lost due to unpaid customs duties and import
\ntaxes amounts to Rp 8 trillion per year. Furthermore, it is even
\nmore alarming that another loss to the state in tax collection
\nalone amounted to around Rp 160 trillion last year as a result of
\ncollusion between tax officials and taxpayers (the Post , April
\n4).<\/p>\n
These matters reflect the need for stricter and harsher law
\nenforcement and effective supervision. Regulations regarding the
\neradication of corruption and the duties of law enforcement
\nofficials are all in place. What is lacking is the moral
\nresponsibility of corrupt officials, and political will on behalf
\nof the government. At the very least the National Ombudsman
\nCommission (NOC) should be empowered and should urge each
\ngovernment institution to establish its own ombudsman in close
\ncooperation and coordination with the NOC.<\/p>\n
Looking at the Australian experience in waging war against
\ncorruption, within each government institution (even the police
\nforce) there is an oversight body monitoring the conduct of the
\ninstitution, especially with regard to corruption by its
\nofficials. Therefore, there is no need for similarity in
\nterminology for the body, be it \"ombudsman commission\",
\n\"oversight body\" or whatever. The most importing thing is that
\nthese supervisory bodies work effectively.<\/p>\n
M. RUSDI
\nJakarta<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/curbing-corruption-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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