Curbing corruption

Curbing corruption
in customs offices

It is staggering to hear that corruption is widespread within
the Customs, Excise and Tax Directorate General, Ministry of
Finance. The Jakarta Post revealed on March 31 the modus operandi
of corrupt retired officials connected to the more than 1,500
"phantom" import companies, whose licenses were recently
suspended by the government.

State revenue lost due to unpaid customs duties and import
taxes amounts to Rp 8 trillion per year. Furthermore, it is even
more alarming that another loss to the state in tax collection
alone amounted to around Rp 160 trillion last year as a result of
collusion between tax officials and taxpayers (the Post , April
4).

These matters reflect the need for stricter and harsher law
enforcement and effective supervision. Regulations regarding the
eradication of corruption and the duties of law enforcement
officials are all in place. What is lacking is the moral
responsibility of corrupt officials, and political will on behalf
of the government. At the very least the National Ombudsman
Commission (NOC) should be empowered and should urge each
government institution to establish its own ombudsman in close
cooperation and coordination with the NOC.

Looking at the Australian experience in waging war against
corruption, within each government institution (even the police
force) there is an oversight body monitoring the conduct of the
institution, especially with regard to corruption by its
officials. Therefore, there is no need for similarity in
terminology for the body, be it "ombudsman commission",
"oversight body" or whatever. The most importing thing is that
these supervisory bodies work effectively.

M. RUSDI
Jakarta