Corruption in Indonesia: Culturally dictated?

Patrick Guntensperger, Jakarta

Just what is at the root of the pervasive corruption that is so much a part of Indonesian society? Why is Indonesia, of all the countries of the world, a perennial favorite in the corruption sweepstakes?

Working from the presumption that Indonesian people are no more genetically pre-programmed than anyone else to be tolerant of corruption, we must look at the culture of this country to try to determine the root cause of this societal illness.

The search for a cause is not an idle one; pandemic corruption and a culture of abuse of trust is not a harmless little Indonesian idiosyncrasy or cultural quirk. Let us be clear about the seriousness of the problem; corruption in Indonesia is a cancer in the body politic and it is quite capable of killing the host.

Democracy is new to Indonesia. While the precepts of individual autonomy and sentiments of human equality are understood intellectually by most people, the effect of centuries of autocratic rule still lingers in the national subconscious.

From the tribal rule of prehistoric times through the ancient rule by clan chiefs and regional aristocracies, the colonial domination by the Dutch, the occupation by the Japanese and the autocratic rule exercised by political strongmen in the latter half of the 20th Century, Indonesia has always had a highly stratified society. Since before recorded history, Indonesia has been accustomed to a society in which one's status is rigidly defined.

One of the results of this societal stratification has been that those in positions of authority have infinite precedents for assuming that those over whom they exercise that authority are there for their use.

Authority figures assume that they only have to answer to those in a higher position on the food chain. Those beneath them are to be treated as supplicants or servants. Consequently, civil servants of minor authority and limited power treat the public as though they are mere peasants who are required to tug at forelocks and keep their eyes downcast when they beg a boon of their betters. For public officials like these, accepting a token of appreciation is their due. It is not seen as graft; merely an acknowledgement of respect by a peasant.

The obverse of this coin is that the people feel the same way. Far too many Indonesian citizens are used to thinking that if someone occupies a desk in a government office, that person is his superior and needs to be treated with deference and approached with humility and as large a cash gift as can be found.

At this level of public service, a radical alteration in everyone's thinking needs to be made before the situation will be substantially different.

If Indonesians are to become comfortable with living in a democracy, those social stratifications must erode.

The civil servant must learn and remember that he must be both; he must be civil and he must serve. In a mature democracy, the notion of a civil servant soliciting a gratuity for doing his job would be met with either howls of outrage or gales of laughter. Until that paradigm shift occurs, petty bribery will continue to be a way of life and will impede, if not actually stall, the process of democratization.

With that habit of thinking at the foundation of government- public interaction, it is hardly surprising that at the upper levels, high-stakes corruption flourishes. There is no tradition of personal sacrifice for the greater good.

On the contrary, achieving power is seen as a guarantee of influence, respect and wealth. Power, once achieved is to be protected, because wielding it was a way of life; not an opportunity to serve.

"Better to rule in Hell than to serve in Heaven," said Lucifer. As long as our leaders are treated as though they are rulers rather than high level public servants, that satanic sentiment will be the core motivation of those who want our votes.

The Indonesian cultural mosaic is quite possibly the richest and most fascinating in the world. The openness, sincerity, charm and generosity of spirit that typify the Indonesian culture and personality are to be envied by the rest of the world.

The Indonesian respect, even reverence for tradition and ancestral ways is something other cultures could learn from. But among the traditions and cultural habits that have to be abandoned if this country is to escape from the bonds of corruption is the reflex to treat even scoundrels occupying a position of authority with respect.

While respect for legitimate authority is admirable and deference to authentic representatives of the people is a positive trait, a habit of accepting mistreatment, abuse of power and theft of public funds as the prerogative of government employees only indicates a lack of self respect.

The Indonesian culture must find a way to adapt to the exigencies of democracy and discard the ancient tradition that expects the worst sort of venality of her leaders. Our self- esteem must demand that our leaders act as though they are participants in the democratic process rather than merely the recipients of its benefits.

The writer, social and political commentator, can be reached at ttpguntensperger@hotmail.com