Corruption: How to fight it?

We often read statements from government officials and community leaders that we must fight corruption, that we must fight collusion, that we must fight communism, that we must fight primordialism and other evil things. But all these statements have little value if we do not mention how to fight them.

The government warns people to be alert against possible communist activity, but where are the government guidelines on how to fight it. Detection of social or political evils is important but giving guidance of how to fight them is more important.

Sociologist Loekman Soetrisno once said that freedom of the press and democracy would wipe out corruption. This is too good to be true. Minister of Administrative Reforms Silalahi said that corruption will die a natural death due to the existence of an award called the Abdi Satya Bhakti. What a simple way of thinking! Fortunately members of the DPR (House of Representatives) like Marsinggih Marsid of Commission V and Mohamad Mansyur of Commission X have dismissed this as pure nonsense (Merdeka, Sept. 18).

How can corruption die a natural death if we are doing nothing? Corruption and other social evils remain, despite some government efforts.

The Development and Finance Control Board (BPKP) in the fiscal year 1995/1996 discovered 14,572 cases which caused losses of Rp 532.59 billion. BPKP Chairman Soedarjono stated that government agencies have shown minimal concern, which hurt BPKP (The Jakarta Post, Sept. 20).

I think BPKP should report its findings to the Attorney General's Office. With the help of other government agencies, maybe it will be able to distinguish between administrative deviations and genuine corruption.

In short, I think we should focus on the "how" rather than on the "must."

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta