Corruption a cultural problem: Experts

SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Corruption in Indonesia has become so ingrained in the nation's culture that wiping it out will require a cultural approach, two scholars argued on Saturday.

Amien Rais, an international relations expert and leader of Muhammadiyah, a Moslem organization with 28 million members, said that corruption is out of control in Indonesia.

"Corruption in this country has already reached an alarming level. It is getting to the point where it could create social jealousy and undermine the unity of the country," said Amien. "When it comes to corruption, Indonesia is the world champion."

Mere commitment on the part of the government to wiping out corruption is not enough, he argued, action is needed.

Scholars and ulemas, in particular, should have the courage to fight corruption, said Amien, who is a lecturer at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta.

The rector of Diponegoro University in Semarang, Muladi, said corruption had reached a point at which it is now difficult to stop it growing, let alone eliminate it.

Corruption is not simply a legal problem, he said, but is more of a cultural problem, meaning that a cultural approach should be used in the fight against it.

More specifically, he said a major transformation was taking place in Indonesian values, and that some traditional values -- such as "doing good deeds and working hard" -- are in danger of extinction.

"Corruption is occurring because people have come to accept that the end justifies the means. The most important thing is to get as much money as one can without having to work or obey the law," said Muladi, who is also a member of the National Commission on Human Rights.

Muladi proposed that the world of higher education, particularly business schools, teach business ethics and professional ethics to their students.

He added that the courts should punish corruption with the heaviest sentences available. (har/emb)