Systemic corruption<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Transparency Society (MTI) has shocked us with
\nits revelation that the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) has found
\nirregularities involving Rp 820 billion (US$97.62 million) in
\nJakarta city institutions and enterprises. The fact that no
\naction has been taken by the police is even more interesting than
\nthe sheer amount involved.<\/p>\n
According to BPK, several irregularities, involving Rp 7.8
\nbillion of the total Rp 820 billion, have occurred at the
\nPopulation and Civil Registration Agency. Four city councillors
\nare reportedly involved in the alleged swindle.<\/p>\n
Surprisingly, one day after the BPK report was made public,
\nhead of the City Audit Agency Firman Hutajulu said that there had
\nbeen only a few mistakes in procedure and administration in the
\nprocurement of computers, which had caused the loss to city
\nfunds.<\/p>\n
"The investigation centered on why computers that had been
\npurchased were not installed until the project's deadline had
\npassed," Firman said.<\/p>\n
That statement makes little sense -- or at least it makes
\npeople wonder what the real job of the audit agency is. Does it
\nalso deal with mistakes in procedure and administration that are
\nprone to causing financial losses to the city administration? And
\nhow was it that a year-old case of alleged corruption was
\ninvestigated by the agency only on Monday, May 12, 2003, some
\nthree months after the BPK findings? Or are there differences in
\nunderstanding with regard to corruption between BPK and the City
\nAudit Agency?<\/p>\n
This leads us to the question of how the City Council could
\nhave accepted Governor Sutiyoso's accountability address for 2001
\nand 2002. What criteria did the council use to measure the
\ngovernor's responsibility?<\/p>\n
Jakarta's citizenry has been voicing deep concern about
\ncorruption. Unfortunately, corruption appears to be a matter of
\nhabit, culture and attitude, as well as of morality. In the
\nprocess of its growth, the practice has sprouted a vast systemic
\nnetwork in Indonesia, making this country one of the most corrupt
\nin the world. It involves law enforcers as well as other
\ninstitutions and individuals that are supposed to uphold the law.<\/p>\n
One activist expressed surprise on hearing that the Lampung
\npolice had arrested the province's governor-elect, M. Alzier
\nTabrani, for alleged malfeasance, while the authorities had not
\nyet received a report of his alleged criminal acts.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, there has, so far, been no response to reports
\nsubmitted to the city police and the City Prosecutor's Office
\nabout Sutiyoso's alleged involvement in "money politics" to
\nassure his reelection earlier this year.<\/p>\n
Another report on a scam allegedly carried out by Fauzi Bowo
\nbetween 1992 and 1997, when he was chairman of the government-
\nbacked Civil Servants Corps in Jakarta, has also received no
\nresponse from the city police and the City Prosecutor's Office.
\nFauzi Bowo is currently Jakarta deputy governor.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Police should be aware that corruption is a
\nspecial crime that deserves investigation, even in the absence of
\nreports or complaints being submitted. It would be unlawful and
\nin violation of the principle of presumption of innocence to
\naccuse the Jakarta law enforcers of being parties to the dirty
\ngame. However, Jakarta's citizens are tired of complaining about
\npoor law enforcement and irregular practices that are seemingly
\ncarried out by law enforcement officers and agencies in this
\ncity.<\/p>\n
Alleged corruption at the City Parking Agency, which has never
\nbeen pursued, could be cited as an example. Appropriate action
\nhas never been taken to curb the alleged malfeasance and thereby
\nincrease the city's parking revenues, which have been unusually
\nlow from one year to the next.<\/p>\n
The absence of legal moves is probably what has prompted City
\nHall officials at all levels to exploit every chance they have to
\nenrich themselves. Most recently, an unofficial source alleged
\nthat yet another case of corruption, involving more than Rp 100
\nbillion from street lighting projects, had occurred. A non-
\ngovernmental organization is believed to be involved in the
\ncrime.<\/p>\n
In conclusion, let us not forget that Jakarta, as the capital
\ncity of Indonesia, has, for a long time, been the nation's
\ntrendsetter. Therefore, the Jakarta city administration owes it
\nto the country and the nation to set a good example by presenting
\nitself as a model of good governance, with honest and effective
\nlaw enforcement.<\/p>\n
It is high time for the city police and the City Prosecutor's
\nOffice to be more responsive and proactive in dealing with
\nreports on corruption. We do hope the City Council will be more
\ncritical and independent in examining and evaluating the
\ngovernor's performance. Only in this way can it play a positive
\nrole toward erasing Indonesia's sadly tarnished image in the
\nworld and give a boost to the nation's efforts at establishing
\ngood governance.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/systemic-corruption-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}