Corruption and accountability

Corruption and accountability

When western nations, multilateral organizations and
businesses, who have operated in Indonesia for forty years or
more, talk about good governance and the problems of doing
business in Indonesia, they should use their own yardsticks in
making such judgments. "Let the man without sin, throw the first
stone".

Life for the poor will be much better if the organizations
with the power and ability to change things become a little more
introspective, humble and open to suggestions from the
democratically elected leaders and their officials -- whether in
Jakarta, the provinces or districts.

The Indonesian people and their government cannot change the
bureaucracy, policies and regulations or management at short
notice. Change will only materialize through the active help and
support of the media, investors and lenders. We must look
seriously at the problems and offer solutions instead of writing
vast tracts of criticism.

VIVEKANANTHAN, Jakarta