Government seeks int'l help in fighting corruption<\/p>\n
Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Long known as a safe haven for corruptors, Indonesia has asked
\nthe international community for support in its fight to stamp out
\ncorruption, at a three-day meeting it is hosting on
\nanticorruption initiatives for the Asia-Pacific region.<\/p>\n
"The meeting should be helpful for a country like Indonesia as
\nwe can learn from other countries how to eradicate corruption. We
\ncan share the knowledge and input on the matter at the meeting,"
\nAgus Muhammad, the finance ministry's inspector general, told
\nreporters on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The meeting started on March 4 and runs through March 6. It is
\njointly organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the
\nOrganization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).<\/p>\n
Agus said that with the support of the international
\ncommunity, the government could obtain a great deal of
\ninformation and thus come up with a better strategy and solution
\nto combat corruption.<\/p>\n
Even after the downfall of the allegedly corrupt regime of
\npresident Soeharto in 1998, efforts to eliminate corruption have
\nbeen relatively fruitless.<\/p>\n
Blamed for the prolonged economic crisis, corruption is
\nrampant and appears to be spreading, with many suggesting that it
\nis getting out of control. Findings of the misuse of state funds
\nhave increased, in terms of both volume and value.<\/p>\n
Only recently, the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) -- which
\noversees the use of state funds at state institutions -- found
\nirregularities amounting to a staggering Rp 456.3 trillion (about
\nUS$60 billion) in 2001 and 2002.<\/p>\n
BPK said that the findings were the results of an inspection
\nthat covered the implementation of central and regional
\ngovernment budgets in 2001 and 2002.<\/p>\n
The amount surpasses the Rp 430 trillion injected into banks
\nby the government to avoid the collapse of the banking sector
\nduring the monetary crisis.<\/p>\n
Despite the huge figure, many believe it is only the tip of
\nthe iceberg, indicating how imperative it is that the government
\ncomes up with a way to at least reduce corruption.<\/p>\n
According to the World Bank, one of the country's main
\ncreditors, rampant corruption has not only caused losses to the
\nstate but has also discouraged investors from investing in
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, Agus said that 16 countries were taking part in the
\nmeeting -- called the ADB-OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for the
\nAsia Pacific -- as well as the Advisory Council consisting of
\nrepresentatives of donor agencies, international non-governmental
\norganizations and business organizations, including Transparency
\nInternational, the World Bank and the Australian Agency for
\nInternational Development (AusAID).<\/p>\n
A media release said that the initiative was first endorsed by
\nmore than 35 member countries of the OECD and ADB in 1999 in
\nManila. Its main goal is to help countries create an effective
\nanticorruption mechanism and lay the foundation for a sustained
\nfight against corruption.<\/p>\n
The initiative was drafted the Regional Anti-Corruption Action
\nPlan, which was later endorsed by 17 countries, including
\nIndonesia.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-seeks-intl-help-in-fighting-corruption-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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