Corruption must be halted

Corruption must be halted

We have to admit that Indonesia is now in a very difficult
economic situation. We also have to admit that this situation has
been mostly caused by corruption.

So to improve the situation, we must fight corruption. But
how?

At the higher level of bureaucracy, one practices corruption
to enrich oneself. At lower levels, it becomes a way of life as
the salaries of employees are insufficient to live on, so they
resort to corruption for survival.

During president Sukarno's reign people also suffered because
there was little food and clothing, and jobs were scarce.
However, Dewi, one of Sukarno's wives, could be counted as one of
the richest women in the world. Needless to say that the largest
chunk of her wealth, if not all, came from Indonesia. While pain,
suffering, hunger and other miseries prevailed among the common
people, there were groups of people who would enrich themselves.

During president Soeharto's era, we witnessed a lot of
improvement as far as the people's welfare was concerned,
although much still could be done and changes made for the
better.

The unfortunate thing now is that our foreign debt is piling
up. Even unborn babies have been burdened with loans that they
will have to pay back.

After 53 years in self-government (with many wrongdoings, I am
afraid) we should make great efforts to find the best solution to
the ailing economy and lighten the people's suffering.

EDWARD N.H. ABRAHAM

Jakarta