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