Bribery in Indonesia

Bribery in Indonesia

From Republika

The problem that to become a civil servant you must pay bribes is a real one. No less a person than the secretary-general of the Ministry of Home Affairs has stated that bribery and nepotism in the recruitment of new employees still exists. This statement came as no surprise, because bribery has been a problem for a long time, and is no longer a secret. What surprises me is the unwillingness of senior officials to uncover the practices of bribery with the purpose of improving the situation.

I remember that after my graduation in Lampung in 1989 I wanted to enter the civil service. But I abandoned the idea because of rumors that one had to pay a levy ranging from between Rp 2 and 4 million. Unfortunately, it was impossible to verify the truth of such claims as such deals are done illegally. I took greater pride in my intelligence and degree rather than the ability to conjure things by virtue of money.

If you must buy a position how can you be an official of refined mentality and integrity? It is no surprise that an unclean bureaucracy produces unclean civil servants who put money before services. It would seem that illegal levies, corruption, collusion and the like are common practices which may block the way to the take-off era.

HERDI DUDUNG

Jakarta