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