Corrupt councillors

Corrupt councillors

An increasing number of councillors in many parts of the country have been brought to court on charges of corruption. Most of the councillors are suspected of conspiring to embezzle state funds through fictitious spending, such as on overseas trips, comparative studies and insurance claims.

The Padang District Court in West Sumatra recently sentenced about 40 provincial councillors to prison for embezzling state funds. Also in West Sumatra, 10 municipal councillors were brought to court on corruption charges.

Corruption involving councillors also occurred in Lampung province and Garut district, West Java province.

When you think about it, it is impossible for councillors to embezzle state funds without conspiring with local government officials. District heads and governors, whose policies to a great extent depend on the approval of legislative councils, have been tempted to conspire with councillors.

The law on district governments stipulates that councillors fall under the district administrations. Consequently, councillors feel that they are deeply indebted to district heads, while on the other hand, the latter also have an interest in maintaining good relations with the former.

Corruption involving councillors is not merely the result of overlapping institutional relations, but more chiefly of moral decadence.

The arrest and trial of councillors in many parts of the country on corruption charges is an embarrassing tragedy. -- Media Indonesia, Jakarta