Corruption and twin functions

Corruption and twin functions

President Megawati Soekarnoputri visited Banda Aceh to inaugurate the maiden flight of Seulawah NAD Air and open the fourth Aceh Custom Congress. There was a conference of the local chapter of her party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, but she did not attend it. Regardless of the quality of the visit, she was visiting Aceh in her capacity as president.

Meanwhile Vice President Hamzah Haz, visited the modern Gontor VII Riyadatul Mujahidin Islamic boarding school near Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi. But he also met cadres of the United Development Party in Kendari, thus creating confusion between party affairs and public interests. This invited a protest lodged by local students.

The problem of abusing state facilities is rooted in the twin functions of president and vice president on the one hand and the function of party chief on the other. This entails conflict of interests and privileges are enjoyed by the said party in the name of state affairs. It also legitimizes corruption and cultivates the attitude of hypocrisy.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta