Fighting corruption and collusion

Fighting corruption and collusion

According to Dr. Anwar Nasution, an observer of economic
affairs, the practice of collusion could have far-reaching
effects on the Indonesian economy. Japan, for instance, once
threatened it would no longer invest capital in Indonesia because
of the huge costs incurred by collusions.

Such threats, according to Anwar Nasution, could deal a heavy
blow to the Indonesian economy in this era of globalization. And
even at present, foreign investors will think twice before
investing their money in this country. The perpetrators -- those
engaged in economic activities such as conglomerates and
businessmen as well as bureaucrats -- exert great influence on
the economy.

Aside from whether or not the effects of collusion and
corruption are as Anwar Nasution says, it is for certain that
those two ills will be hard to eliminate. We can often sense
their existence but we cannot easily prove it because of the neat
manner in which such irregularities are carried out.

Irregularities occur because of the convergence of intent and
opportunity. Their elimination must be attempted by improving
people's morals. All this is ironic when we consider the fact
that collusion and corruption are thriving precisely at a time
when the religious fervor among us is growing.

-- Surabaya Post