Ending corruption starts at the top

Ending corruption starts at the top

The recent disclosure by the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW)
of alleged corruption committed by Attorney General Andi M.
Ghalib has confirmed the skepticism of several parties concerning
the Habibie government's seriousness in trying to eradicate
corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN), as stipulated by
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Decree No. 11/1998.

Before trying to stop other parties from committing KKN, top
officials in the Habibie government must first prove that they
themselves are free of such practices. Led by President B.J.
Habibie, they must fairly and openly disclose their wealth --
including that controlled by their wives, children and
grandchildren -- in the mass media. Through such disclosures, the
people will believe in the sincerity of the government and will
support all of its policies. The proposal is almost impossible to
implement unless the officials are really clean of KKN.

And even if the officials are tainted by KKN, the public would
appreciate their honest disclosure of their wealth. Moreover,
Habibie would be highly respected if he was willing to donate all
his wealth to the people, with him satisfied with his salary and
benefits. His example would definitely be followed by other high-
ranking officials.

After taking such steps, Habibie and his government, free from
psychological barriers, would be able to legally process former
president Soeharto and his cronies. The reputation and
credibility of Habibie and his government would soar; he will
have a great chance to be elected as the country's next
president, even though his Golkar Party is losing in the count
from the recent general election. Only with such extraordinarily
courageous deeds will the Habibie government be able to solve the
terrible economic crisis caused by KKN.

If Habibie does not dare to embark on such a "brave
breakthrough" but continues to do business as usual, we should
discard hope for the eradication of KKN by the current government
and instead we intensify our support for ICW for the disclosure
of KKN committed by other government officials, including those
involving the state-owned social insurance company PT Jamsostek.

WISDARMANTO G.S.

Jakarta