Ruing corruption<\/p>\n
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's remark that certain
\nmembers of the business community and the bureaucracy were
\nresisting his anticorruption drive seemed like a cry for help, a
\nwarning and an alibi at the same time.<\/p>\n
His remark before members of the Indonesian Chamber of
\nCommerce and Industry (Kadin) was quite poignant, noting that
\n\"businesses and (personal) interests had been severely affected
\nby the move (to combat corruption)\".<\/p>\n
It was a revelation to the nation and confirmed suspicions
\nthat while anticorruption and good governance are popular terms,
\n\"shortcuts\" are still an accepted mode of doing business.<\/p>\n
Some, especially business practitioners, might argue
\notherwise. But the question then becomes which comes first, the
\nchicken or the egg?<\/p>\n
Corruption might not occur if business interests were not
\nperpetually seeking unfair comparative advantages by using gobs
\nof cash as enticements. On the other hand, kickbacks would also
\ncease if bureaucrats -- at all levels -- stopped seeking to make
\na quick buck.<\/p>\n
The answer is then neither the chicken nor the egg, but simple
\ngreed. It is an ominous sign, either way.<\/p>\n
The President's statement could be interpreted either as a
\nceremonial moral call or a confession that he is not winning,
\nperhaps even losing, the war on corruption.<\/p>\n
In essence, Susilo was saying that despite his best efforts he
\nis being undermined from within the government. His very public
\nadmission of there being traitors in our midst means that this
\ncountry has a long and rocky path to tread before we can even
\nbegin changing the culture of corruption.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, while still lacking \"trophies\", it must be
\nconceded that Susilo himself, unlike the leaders of previous
\nadministrations, is yet to show any inclination toward
\nconsolidating a network that exploits his privileged position.<\/p>\n
Hence public support is imperative to his efforts, which are
\noften under appreciated. Continued public faith is the
\nPresident's strongest weapon against an embedded culture of
\nprofiteering. It is time for us to renew our confidence in this
\ndifficult endeavor.<\/p>\n
Making the statement at the opening of a Kadin congress was
\nalso a strategic move.<\/p>\n
It has been said that reformasi not only democratized the
\npolitical system, but also democratized corruption with local
\nplayers being as avaricious as their counterparts in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Speaking before delegates representing regional and branch
\nlevels of Kadin, it was as if the President was saying \"I know
\nwho you are and what you're doing\".<\/p>\n
We can, hopefully, expect tougher measures from Susilo should
\n\"resistance\" persist in the future.<\/p>\n
Finally -- and we dearly hope this is not the case -- Susilo's
\nremarks could also be interpreted as the first excuse for a
\nfailing campaign.<\/p>\n
Anticorruption was one of the most prominent platforms for
\nwhich Susilo was elected. Failure to mitigate the practice would
\nmark the failure of his presidency.<\/p>\n
Despite the obstacles presented before him, Susilo cannot
\nsimply blame the bureaucracy, the \"system\" or irresponsible
\nindividuals for failing to correct a structural problem.<\/p>\n
These are obstacles that he was fully aware of before he
\nassumed the presidency. Susilo is the President. He has the power
\nto act accordingly!<\/p>\n
Grumbling about the prevailing system only brings comparisons
\nwith his predecessor, who always blamed everyone but herself --
\npast legacies, the bureaucracy, errant officials, the system --
\nfor her failure to deliver good governance.<\/p>\n
We are confident that the President has the leadership
\nqualities and political will not to let certain predicaments
\nweaken his determination to combat corruption.<\/p>\n
That is a war in which he would have the whole nation's
\nsupport.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ruing-corruption-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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