More needed to curb corruption: Experts<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Senior economist and former finance minister
\nFrans Seda hailed on Wednesday the government's move to publicly
\ndivulge corruption in the bureaucracy and state companies, but
\nsaid it must push on with concrete measures to form a clean
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
Speaking after a discussion on a new government, Seda said the
\nactions also should include an investigation into former
\npresident Soeharto.<\/p>\n
\"The government has already set its course, so never stop the
\nprobe (into alleged corruption) halfway if it is proved he
\n(Soeharto) is involved,\" Seda said as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Development Supervision and State
\nAdministrative Reforms Hartarto unveiled on Tuesday more than
\n3,000 cases of corruption involving Rp 7.21 trillion (US$1.07
\nbillion) in state funds.<\/p>\n
He said only Rp 76.32 billion could be recovered.<\/p>\n
Seda said the government should not be satisfied by the
\nannouncement, but begin a movement to remove corrupt officials
\nfrom the bureaucracy.<\/p>\n
He called on the public to maintain a positive attitude and
\nbelieve that the government was serious in coping with
\ncorruption, collusion and nepotism.<\/p>\n
Other speakers were former central bank governor Arifin
\nSiregar and economists Rizal Ramli and Hartoyo Wignyowiyoto.<\/p>\n
Hartoyo said he was skeptical about the capability of the new
\nadministration to continue the efforts to establish a clean
\ngovernment and fight corruption.<\/p>\n
\"You see the current parties are fighting each other for a
\nshare of power. They have yet to establish a systematic program
\n(to combat corruption).\"<\/p>\n
He doubted that corruption could be eradicated in five years
\ntime due to its complicated nature.<\/p>\n
There is hope for a successful antigraft campaign, he said,
\nthanks to the growing transparency in the government, legislative
\nbodies and other institutions. He added that freedom of the press
\nplayed a key role in developing the transparency.<\/p>\n
Rizal said corruption in the country was the legacy of seven
\npast generations.<\/p>\n
\"Corruption could be curbed if the government revamps the
\nbureaucracy... through, among other things, improving its
\nfunctions, remuneration and professionalism.\"<\/p>\n
He said that if the new government took the antigraft drive
\nseriously, Indonesia would equal the achievements of Malaysia in
\nfive years and Singapore in 10 years.<\/p>\n
In Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW)
\ncoordinator Teten Masduki said the organization would unveil
\nresults of its investigation into alleged corruption in the
\nGeneral Elections Commission (KPU) on July 15, when the
\ncommission is scheduled to announce poll results.<\/p>\n
He said the date was set in order not to disrupt the KPU's
\nongoing work.<\/p>\n
\"We have a responsibility to announce our findings to the
\npublic because we serve them,\" Teten said on the sidelines of a
\nseminar on corruption in the West Sumatra capital on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
He said ICW named a team of five to investigate alleged
\ncorruption in the KPU. The probe came in response to public
\ndemands made through the media.<\/p>\n
Some KPU members have admitted to receiving payments from
\ncompanies which won contracts to supply paper, ink and other
\nmaterials for the elections. (28\/amd)<\/p>",
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