Social control needed to reduce corruption<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has been categorized as a country with
\na high level of corruption. The corrupt activities include
\naccepting bribes, receiving commissions on the purchase or sale
\nof state commodities, and the mark up of the purchase of goods
\nfor the state.<\/p>\n
Some experts say that corrupt activities stem from low
\nsalaries, dishonesty among government officials and the lack of
\ntransparency in the management of public finances. Others say
\nthat while anticorruption laws and regulations are complete, the
\nwill to eradicate corruption is lacking. They have proposed
\nseveral solutions to the problem, such as increasing government
\nofficials' salaries, transparency and accountability in handling
\npublic affairs matters, including a recommendation to declare
\ngovernment officials' wealth.<\/p>\n
But I fear these measures are impracticable and that
\ncorruption will continue. For example, how should the adherence
\nto regulations and procedures be enforced? Internal control known
\nas waskat has been implemented in each government office but its
\nresults are disappointing because there are always abuses of
\nauthority.<\/p>\n
Will a salary increase stop corruption? Perhaps, but amid the
\nprevailing consumerism and loose financial control, an increase
\nwill not be of much use. How can transparency be enforced in the
\nmanagement of public finances? If there is no obligation and no
\ntough sanction, it will remain a recommendation. What method
\nshould be applied to ensure the willingness of government
\nofficials to declare their wealth? If there are no laws on
\ngovernment officials' obligation to declare their wealth, this
\nrecommendation will also not be followed.<\/p>\n
The solutions mentioned above do not touch on the real
\nproblem. In my opinion, corruption cannot be eradicated if people
\nare not able to exercise social control on the bureaucracy,
\nincluding the government and the private sector. Corruption by
\nbureaucracy will occur if it is beyond people's control. A
\nbureaucracy that is immune from social or public control tends to
\nabuse its authority and avoids accountability. In other words,
\ncorruption can be reduced (not eliminated) if social control
\nfunctions properly.<\/p>\n
So what should be done to make social control effective?
\nFirst, a conducive climate should be created giving people the
\nopportunity to contribute actively and positively to society. On
\none hand, the people should not be apathetic in viewing matters
\nof the state because apathy manifests indifference and opens the
\ndoor to the possibility of power abuse. On the other hand,
\nparticipation must be constantly guarded so that it doesn't
\nbecome destructive. This will hamper efforts to maintain
\nstability and order.<\/p>\n
The channels for participation must be opened through the
\nmedia, political parties, especially the House of Representatives
\nand its branches in the provinces. The House must be given the
\nopportunity to convey the people's aspirations, and power abuse
\nby the bureaucracy should be reported.<\/p>\n
It's time the House had the opportunity to exercise its proper
\nfunction and role as an institution representing the people. The
\nHouse should exercise its rights (of initiative, budget, etc.) so
\nthat the people are in a position to control the bureaucracy.
\nOnly by giving the people a chance to participate will they have
\na chance to penetrate the immunity of the bureaucracy.<\/p>\n
The writer is a political analyst from the University of
\nIndonesia, Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Editorial -- Page 4<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/social-control-needed-to-reduce-corruption-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }