Corruption and democracy

From Koran Tempo

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono declared Dec. 9 Anticorruption Day for the purpose of waging a war against corruption. On several occasions he even said he would direct the corruption eradication movement himself.

Indonesia belongs to the group of most corrupt countries, occupying top place on Transparency International's corruption list. This has been due to the lack of serious attempts to fight corruption, with no punishments imposed in major cases.

Former deputy prime minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim has commented that Indonesia should be proud of its democracy because the nation no longer has a culture of fear. Indonesians now enjoy press, judicial, economic and even religious freedom.

Freedom is far more significant than economic progress, because through freedom and democracy, Indonesia has the opportunity to achieve greater economic advancement. But democracy demands responsibility.

The law must be respected, otherwise corruption, collusion and nepotism will continue to plague this nation, and the opportunity for advancement will be lost.

This reminder from the nation's neighbor should be heeded and the momentum to properly enforce the law utilized. The failure to do so would not only cause the loss of public confidence but also usher in the law of the jungle.

SIS ANDONO Depok, West Java