Corruption busters

Corruption busters

Corruption remains as prevalent in our society as it did two
years ago. We have only seen marginal progress in the effort to
convert the culture of payolas into one of responsible and
accountable management.

It will take many more years before any inkling of the "clean
society" this country seeks starts to emerge. However, it will
require the concerted efforts and dedication of the current
generation to embark on this endeavor if our children are ever to
live in a community where corruption is an exception and not a
norm.

Nowhere is the prevalence of corruption more evident than in a
survey conducted by Transparency International, which found that
about one-third of households surveyed said they had to bribe
public officials for the simplest things such as getting a
drivers license.

The 2005 Global Corruption Barometer found that political
parties were considered the most corrupt Indonesian institutions,
followed by, not surprisingly, the House of Representatives, the
police, and the customs and excise office.

The most surprising result of the survey, however, was the
increased degree of public confidence that corruption was
declining. A whopping 81 percent said it was declining.

This positive perception was said to be related to the work of
the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) that has succeeded in
bringing to prosecution several high profile cases.

Today marks the KPK's second birthday. From tenuous
beginnings, filled with doubt and suspicion, the KPK has thrust
itself into the forefront of the nation's battle against this
malignant behavior.

Their successes may be modest, just small holes a massive
wall of impunity, however at least it gives hope that corrupt
practices are not an incurable deadly cancer, but an infection
that can be cured with discipline and dedication.

We strongly urge continued public support and oversight for
this important Commission. They alone cannot be the standard
bearer in this national struggle, but their presence is an
inspiration in a battle against what was once perceived as an
impervious enemy.

It is imperative that present members of the KPK also
establish internal systems to ensure its integrity so that its
future stature is not dependent on a group of "untouchables" who
have the luxury fending off the temptations of bribery.

"Trophy" cases -- ones that involve corruption at the highest
institutional levels -- are important as symbolic efforts to
curtail systemic corruption at lower levels.

But it is also important to show that corruption does not
'pay'. This means more than just a slap on the wrist of three to
four years incarceration for someone who will later enjoy the
fruits of their iniquity.

We also believe that there should be a focused set of
priorities that includes a "clean-up" of law enforcement agencies
-- the courts, Attorney General's Office and police.

Without the participation of these three bodies, it is
impossible to see how the anti-corruption drive can go beyond
anything more that what has been accomplished thus far.

To this end, certain "trade-offs" may be required in order to
penetrate institutions in which mafias of opportunists are so
powerfully burrowed.

Perhaps the most important weapon in this struggle is the
conscience of every decent citizen not to become engaged in
corrupt practices, and to deter practices that do not conform to
legal or ethical norms.

After enough high-profile victories, it will be time to take
this fight to the masses. To bring them onboard against this
enemy within.

The Transparency International survey demonstrates that by
showing integrity, the public will become faithful soldiers in
this righteous struggle.

This nation has been imprisoned in an erroneous habit of
opportunism for so long that sometimes all seems bleak. But the
dedication of a few is proving that the battle can be won. It
will not be easy, and the culture of consumerism in our society
makes it even harder to reduce material exigencies.

But we believe, to paraphrase Marx, that human beings were
born good and it is the economy that turns them bad.

People need to be led. Those of us who are able must set an
example that crime, corruption and other abuses of power are not
privileges, but sins.

People need to be shown and convinced that doing the right
thing is the right thing to do.