Corruption

Corruption

From Republika

The concept of a clean administration isn't new. Both state-
owned companies and government institutions are supposed to be
free from corruption. The government has tried to improve the
welfare of employees. Pertamina has the best paid employees among
government companies. And during the New Order era the government
raised the salary of the employees of the Finance Ministry by
nine times with the aim to wipe out corruption. But we all know
what happened.

Since Indonesia became independent the government has agreed
to eradicate corruption by establishing supervisory bodies in all
departments as demanded by the 1945 Constitution. There are also
independent bodies in charge of supervision, like the State Audit
Body. In spite of all these supervisory establishments,
corruption is still rampant. Indonesia was even branded the most
corrupt country in the world. Is this true? Who do we only rely
on exercising effective supervision? Should we try another
approach? Maybe by involving religious leaders in supervision. My
assumption is that religious leaders aren't likely to be corrupt.

SUHARSO PRAWIRODIHARJO

Jakarta