Accountability is the answer

If I were a government official or company executive who collected illegal levies or received bribes in the form of greasy money, commissions or tokens of gratitude in cash because of my position, what sanctions would be imposed on me pursuant to Islamic law?

I raise this question because there are certain government officials who have a fixed income but possess riches far in excess of their own salaries and benefits.

As for company executives, their additional earnings such as bonuses and dividends, aside from salaries, are determined by shareholders.

The additional earnings of company executives can generally be checked by shareholders, as the owners of the company, while additional earnings of government officials need to be more transparently accountable to the people, as the owners of the state.

ILHAMY ELIAS

Indonesian Center for Information and

Management of the Environment

Jakarta