Corruption is the root of all evil: Kwik
Corruption is the root of all evil: Kwik
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The State Minister of National Development Planning, Kwik Kian
Gie, said all the nation's problems stemmed from rampant
corruption, collusion and nepotism, known by the Indonesian
acronym KKN.
"KKN is the root of all evil," Kwik told graduates of the
Indonesian People's Institute of Administration (Stiakin) on
Saturday.
He said KKN had destroyed the conscience, mentality and even
integrity of decision makers, leading to nonsensical policies.
"We are now witnessing the moral decadence of state officials
at almost all levels, as reflected by the rampant practice of
KKN... it also happens within business circles," Kwik said.
As an executive of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Kwik once rated his party among the
most corrupt. His statement was heavily criticized by his
colleagues, some demanding he exit the party.
Kwik said KKN within the country had caused Rp 180 trillion
(US$21.4 billion) in state losses, not to mention the alleged
misuse of routine, regional and development expenditures in the
budget amounting to about Rp 35 trillion.
Citing further cases, he said stolen sand, fish and timber
cost the country $8 billion, while the wasted subsidy for 10
recapitalized banks reached Rp 14 trillion last year.
"KKN in the state gas and mining firm Pertamina and other
state enterprises and the blackmail of banks that received
blanket guarantees by officials from the Bank Restructuring
Agency (IBRA) are the worst examples," Kwik said without
elaborating.
The Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) announced in August the alleged
misuse of funds worth Rp 20.9 billion by Bank Indonesia and IBRA.
However, the central bank denied the allegations.
The seemingly rampant corruption in the country was recently
disclosed by the Berlin-based Transparency International which
ranked Indonesia the sixth most corrupt country in the world.
To combat the corruption, Kwik suggested the implementation of
a "carrot and stick" or reward and punishment system, whereby
civil servants and the military would be appraised according to
their performances.
"Those with a heavier workload and greater responsibilities
deserve higher salaries. The structure of a remuneration system
must be formulated in a fair and proportional way," he said.
"If they have already received incentives but are still
corrupt the 'stick' or punishment should be heavier," he said.
He recommended the death penalty or life imprisonment for
convicted corruptors.
"Most rulers are corrupt because they are driven or persuaded
by wives, husbands or children. The form of punishment could be
to declare them bankrupt," he said.
Kwik underlined that the eradication of corruption should
start from the top leader, who he said must set a good example.
"They must not commit KKN, otherwise they will face heavy
punishment. (But) they have to get tough with corrupters as
well," he said.