KKN still a common practice<\/p>\n
As reported by The Jakarta Post on Dec. 29, 2001 , the
\nappointment of Taufik Kiemas as a special envoy for a ministerial
\nvisit to China is a classic conflict of interest given his role
\nas the president's husband, a legislator and a businessman. Using
\nstronger words, we might say that by appointing her husband as a
\nspecial envoy, the president has committed the New Order practice
\nof corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN). Of course, as
\npresident she has the prerogative to appoint the envoy of her
\nchoice, but when it comes to appointing members of her family, it
\nwould be wiser for the president to not only stick to the written
\nlaws and regulations but also to consider the issues of fairness
\nand properness based on the feelings she has in her own heart.<\/p>\n
Even though what she did was not against existing laws, I
\nnonetheless believe the international community will laugh at us
\nabout it. It proves that the eradication of KKN in this country
\nis only a slogan to gain popular support rather than a genuine
\neffort to bring prosperity to the people.<\/p>\n
I am very supportive of the idea proposed by the Coordinator
\nof Corruption Watch (ICW), Teten Masduki, that the president
\nshould explain to the public why she appointed her husband to
\nconduct state business. One of the reasons is that the trip was
\nfunded from the public purse and, as taxpayers, people deserve
\nan explanation. In addition, she has to explain the results of
\nthe mission to assess whether the appointment of her husband has
\nbeen beneficial or not for the country.<\/p>\n
Back in 1999, former president Habibie presented a State medal
\nto Mrs. Ainun Habibie in recognition of her active role in and
\nsupport for social welfare activities. I am sure that Mrs. Ainun
\nHabibie deserved to get the medal, considering her contribution
\nwas real. And of course former president Habibie was not breaking
\nthe law, but it was a little bit strange that her husband
\npresented the medal to her while he was president. To me it
\nreduced the value of her medal. It would have been nicer and more
\nvaluable if the medal had been presented by another president.<\/p>\n
I am sure that the case of Mrs. Ainun Habibie is not
\ncomparable with the case of Mr.Taufik Kiemas, but both cases
\nstrike me as very strange and sometimes make me wonder what kind
\nof \"leaders\" we have.<\/p>\n
M SULHAN ASKANDAR<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kkn-still-a-common-practice-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }