The government's business<\/p>\n
he business of government is too important to be left to
\ngovernment alone. True.<\/p>\n
But neither should government be used as a vehicle for
\nbusiness to make profits.<\/p>\n
We welcome President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's plans to issue
\nclearer guidelines that would avoid the abuse of government
\nprivileges for personal business interests.<\/p>\n
Nepotism is as improper and wrong as embezzlement and other
\nacts of corruption. It is part of the cancer that afflicts
\nIndonesia's body politic and creates an inequitable government
\ngeared toward self-interest rather than public service.<\/p>\n
As we are now learning, this system of patronage has also
\nstifled business creativity by producing cronies who reap success
\nfrom favoritism rather than entrepreneurship. Consequently, at a
\ntime when we desperately need a class of ingenious plutocrats to
\nhelp the economy back on its feet, we find that many of our major
\nentrepreneurs do not have the business acumen of true
\nindustrialists.<\/p>\n
Apart from a code of ethics, internal and external oversight,
\nalong with a strict system of punishment, a strong internal
\nmechanism should be adopted to avoid the pitfalls of cronyism.<\/p>\n
No matter how honest a man, the temptations of power can
\nsometimes be too great, even with a clear system of checks.<\/p>\n
Unscrupulous individuals and businesses have for too long been
\nleft unchecked to pursue these unholy relationships. Susilo's
\ndesire to impose more stringent rules on such abuses of authority
\nis extremely overdue.<\/p>\n
But the President does not have to 'reinvent the wheel' in
\nformulating a system to help curb these abuses. Several examples
\ncan be found in other democratic nations that Indonesia can adopt
\nto its own needs.<\/p>\n
For example, in the United States, a Blind Trust is used to
\ndiminish potential conflicts of interest by appointed high
\nranking Cabinet officials and elected representatives.<\/p>\n
The system essentially places the assets of the official,
\nwhile in office, in a trust in which a fiduciary third party has
\ncomplete management discretion.<\/p>\n
There are, of course, no perfect systems. Even in the United
\nStates the unscrupulous find ways around them. The latest
\nallegedly involves a U.S. Senate Majority leader who allegedly
\nused inside information to sell stocks supposedly held in a Blind
\nTrust.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, there is a system in place that presents clear
\nguidelines to deter misconduct. The key will be, and has always
\nbeen, a belief in upholding the system. As the case in the United
\nStates shows, while misconduct can occur, oversight allows for a
\nvigorous investigation that can be conducted when suspicions of
\nabuse arise.<\/p>\n
It is much better than the passive rumor-mongering that goes
\non here today.<\/p>\n
If we want the military to refrain from abusing its authority
\nto conduct business, then civilian politicians should also be
\nheld accountable to the same rules.<\/p>\n
While we support this new initiative, we are, however, suspect
\nas to the motives and timing of the President's remarks.<\/p>\n
If Susilo is truly concerned about officials misusing their
\npositions and wants to impose a new code of ethics, then the
\nwhole nation is undoubtedly behind him.<\/p>\n
But suspected cases of nepotism have persisted in all
\nadministrations, not just Susilo's; from the upper echelons of
\ngovernment down to the lowest-ranking officials.<\/p>\n
So why is the President speaking now? Did this problem just
\noccur to him?<\/p>\n
If he is honestly committed to ending graft -- as he often
\nclaims in his anti-corruption rhetoric -- then these ideas should
\nhave been part of an initiative at the beginning of his term.<\/p>\n
What is even more confusing is why the President chose so many
\nbusinesspeople for his Cabinet. Susilo should have imposed these
\nguidelines in November 2004, not be contemplating them in
\nNovember 2005.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, if he does find such evidence of abuses of
\nauthority, the President should dismiss the individuals concerned
\nimmediately.<\/p>\n
No system will be effective if the top executive dallies over
\ntaking disciplinary action.<\/p>\n
We are fearful that these important and virtuous notions are
\nsimply being aired for political ends in the midst of talk of a
\nCabinet reshuffle. Once the behind-the-scenes objective has been
\nreached, the debate will wilt meaninglessly away like so many
\nother worthy ideas.<\/p>\n
May we remind the President that he was ushered into office
\nwith an overwhelming mandate. He should act if he deems it
\nnecessary without trying to get the public politically involved
\nin a principle that it already believes in.<\/p>\n
Pak Susilo, it is time to take responsibility for your
\nchoices.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-governments-business-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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