'Educate children not to be corrupt'

'Educate children not to be corrupt'

Indonesia has long been known as one of the world's most corrupt
countries. The latest survey conducted by Transparency
International Indonesia (TII) names the capital as the most
corrupt city in the country. The Jakarta Post asked residents for
their opinions as to what needed to be done to eradicate
corruption.

Endang Srihadi, 28, is a researcher at the Indonesian
Institute, Central Jakarta. He lives in Depok:

Jakarta will never be free of corruption. It is a city which
is built on the public sector, which relies on "easy money".

As we all know from Tanjung Priok Port, smuggling is no news
at all in this town.

Entrepreneurs who want to minimize their tax payments will
more often than not bribe the officials. That, of course,
encourages the officials to engage in more corruption.

The same thing happens when people want to renew their
driver's licenses or obtain permits to open a business.

Law enforcement is a must, in my view. The administration has
to ensure transparency under the watchful eyes of the public and
non-governmental organizations.

Bilal, 25, works at a human resources firm in Mega Kuningan,
South Jakarta. He lives in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta:

Corruption? It is common everywhere in the world, even in the
US. It's just a matter of the intensity, however, that makes
Jakarta the most corrupt place in Indonesia.

The survey makes me sad, actually, because I was born and earn
a living here in the capital.

I think the measures taken so far to overcome the problem by
punishing the corruptors have been far from enough.

We have to prevent the younger generation from become
contaminated by the mentality. We can start at the earliest stage
in school.

Everyone should be involved in the effort to eradicate
corruption. We must not make any distinctions.

--The Jakarta Post