'Corruption is our new culture'

The controversy surrounding Attorney General M.A. Rachman and his failure to clarify his assets has led to much public debate. Many people are skeptical that law enforcers, given their past performance and their shaky image, will take action against Rachman.

Yuyun, 30, has taught high school in Alam Sutera, Tangerang, for more than four years. She lives in Serpong, Tangerang:

I'm of the opinion that people lack trust in the courts because of corrupt law enforcers, including judges and prosecutors. Everyone knows that court verdicts are negotiable and can be bought.

A relative of mine who worked for a private bank once bribed the court to win a case. But his bank still lost despite the huge amount of money spent bribing the court.

I wonder how we can eradicate corruption when it has become our new culture.

The attorney general's case is less likely to be solved because I'm sure his colleagues will conspire to secure his post. They are mutual partners who take advantage of each other through corruption. They seem to be an untouchable gang, if I may say so.

I hope President Megawati will take stern action against the attorney general.

Haryo, 41, a pedicab driver for 10 years in Kota, North Jakarta. He lives in Muara Baru, North Jakarta, with his four children and wife:

I think law enforcers like judges, prosecutors and the police have a bad image. They fail to ensure justice for all people.

Court verdicts rarely favor those seeking justice, especially poor people. Verdicts depend on the power of those involved in a case and their money.

Law enforcers don't dare bring powerful and important people to court. Former president Soeharto, for instance.

I wonder when the poor will get prosperity and justice.

In the attorney general's case, he should get a fair trial and if found guilty he should be punished, despite his high-ranking position.

Mahmud, 37, a food vendor. He lives in Rawa Simprug, South Jakarta, with his four children and wife:

The image of judges and prosecutors is so bad that it's difficult for me to describe the rotten situation.

For poor people like me, talking about the courts is the same as talking about the power of money and intimidation.

It is hard to find honest law enforcers these days. If there were honest people, they would be replaced or some "accident" would happen to them. Am I right?

Even idiots know that the attorney general's case is odd. What is the normal salary of a civil servant? How could he afford such a luxury house?

I'm skeptical that even if the attorney general resigns his replacement would do any better at enforcing the law.

Anung, 54, a community unit chief in Palmerah, West Jakarta. He lives with his four children and wife:

Commenting on the recent situation with the attorney general, I would say that it's hard to blame anyone working in such a corrupt system. Everybody is wrong for contaminating law enforcers.

I don't want to comment any further on the situation. The media has blown up the case for their own benefit. To be fair, we should study all aspects of the case before passing any judgments.

I kind of believe the case could have been politically engineered.

I know that politics are tricky and unpredictable. I don't want to be deceived by unreliable politicians.

Well, if he's wrong he should be sanctioned. That's the only thing I can say.

-- Leo Wahyudi S