NGOs against naming of corrupt officials<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Executives of two non-governmental organizations
\nsaid that a city counselor's proposal to publish the names of
\ncorrupt city officials in the mass media would not be effective.<\/p>\n
Rita Serena Kolibonso, chief of the criminal division of the
\nIndonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), said the proposal is not
\nonly ineffective but also violates the \"presumption of innocence\"
\nprinciple.<\/p>\n
\"I believe that we should use a legal approach to handle this
\nmatter and since their conduct could be classified as a crime
\nthen the city administration could press charges against them,\"
\nshe said over the weekend, adding that the press could then cover
\nthe trials without violating anyone's legal rights.<\/p>\n
Rita was commenting on a proposal from councilor Mahmud S.
\nChaniago of the Indonesian Democratic Party faction who suggested
\nthat the city administration announce the names of corrupt
\nofficials in the mass media. The announcement, said Mahmud, will
\nshow people that the administration is doing its best to fight
\ncorruption.<\/p>\n
Rita's objection was supported by Zoemrotin K. Susilo,
\nchairperson of the Indonesian Consumers Organization.<\/p>\n
\"We have already seen how that plan works. Even if they
\nbroadcast those names on a nationwide TV program, corruption
\nremains,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Zoemrotin said, however, that the plan might work if the city
\nstarted by announcing the names of those involved in big cases
\nbefore proceeding with the smaller ones.<\/p>\n
\"It is useless if they start with the smaller cases,\" she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Rita shared her view, stating that the city must first deal
\nwith corruption in upper level management.<\/p>\n
Corruption has become deep rooted in the city administration
\nand people seem to have accepted the condition as part of its
\noperation. Governor Surjadi Soedirdja has repeatedly warned
\nofficials about the crime since his appointment in 1992.<\/p>\n
Many blame the problem on the low wages municipal employees
\nreceive, but Zoemrotin said that the crime is also committed by
\nrich employees.<\/p>\n
\"I think a person's morals is the issue here,\" she said.<\/p>\n
On Friday Surjadi said that people should not hesitate to
\nreport to him any city officials who are abusing their power or
\ncollecting illegal levies for public services and that he would
\ndeal with them.<\/p>\n
The reports, Surjadi added, must be supported by clear cut
\nevidence proving that officials are guilty of the charges.<\/p>\n
Rita believes that tighter controls should be immediately
\nestablished because recent corruption cases clearly illustrate
\nthat the existing Waskat built in control system has failed.<\/p>\n
\"They must reevaluate the Waskat system to eliminate
\ncorruption,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Zoemrotin said that the only solution to reduce corruption is
\nto encourage municipal employees to be more responsible.<\/p>\n
\"Instead of making themselves richer, they should use their
\nposition to provide the best services for the public,\" she said.
\n(03)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ngos-against-naming-of-corrupt-officials-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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