Asia's most corrupt country

Asia's most corrupt country

A Hong Kong-based consulting agency, the Political and
Economic Risk Consultancy Ltd. (PERC), after surveying 450
foreign companies representing 12 countries in the first quarter
of 1999, has concluded that Indonesia is a country with the
highest level of corruption and cronyism in Asia. In the survey,
with ratings ranging from zero to 10 (best to worst), Indonesia
scores 9.91 in the case of corruption and 9.09 in the case of
cronyism. Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan are relatively clean for
business activities, though not necessarily to be understood as
being completely free from corruption practices. Three other
countries next to Indonesia in terms of corruption are India
(9.17), China (9.0) and Vietnam (8.5).

As an Indonesian citizen, I can't help feeling proud of the
first position that Indonesia occupies in the PERC survey, even
though this means No. 1 in terms of corruption and cronyism. To
be sure, however, I do not know when and how corruption in
Indonesia can be eradicated despite the existence of People's
Consultative Assembly decree No. XI/1998 and the Anti-Corruption
Law (Law No. 3/1971). Reportedly, a new law is being conceived,
one that is expected to intensify efforts to eradicate corruption
and establish clean governance. I cannot presume, either, whether
the new president and the new administration that will be the
result of the upcoming June 7, 1999 general election will, in the
real sense of the words, eradicate corruption.

It is public secret in Indonesia that the president,
ministers, civil and military officials both in the government
and in state-owned enterprises and private businesspeople during
the New Order/Soeharto administration era were all involved in
corruption and abuse of power. Corruption, collusion and nepotism
are considered normal and common practices in Indonesia. Few feel
either afraid or embarrassed to become involved in corruption,
collusion and nepotism.

SUHARSONO HADIKUSUMO

Jakarta