Book procurement corruption

From Bisnis Indonesia

Though a survey has shown that Indonesia is one of the most corrupt nations in Southeast Asia, we really are plumbing new depths by allowing rampant corruption and collusion in a book procurement project financed by World Bank aid.

If proven, it means that corruption is widespread not only among conglomerate bosses and bureaucrats, but also among those entitled to seek assistance from public and other agencies.

It is incredible that aid worth US$53,232,000, aimed at promoting children's education through the provision of schoolbooks, has reportedly been misappropriated by publishers and individuals -- people who were previously believed to be reputable.

With this corruption case, it is not only the contractors that will end up being punished by being denied the right to participate in World Bank-funded projects for the next few years.

The government of president elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, too, will be put to the test as regards whether he can keep his campaign promise of eliminating corruption.

TAUFIK KARMADI Jakarta