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