Corruption in Indonesia: Culturally dictated?

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