Govt begin efforts to tackle corruption
Govt begin efforts to tackle corruption
JAKARTA (JP): The Coordinating Minister for Development
Supervision and State Administrative Reforms revealed yesterday
that he had ordered all ministers, governors, heads of state
owned companies and related officials to speed up efforts to
reduce the incidence of corruption.
The minister asked all officials to terminate projects or
contracts with private companies if they found any irregularities
in the deals.
The minister said immediate family, distant relatives or
friends of government officials should not get any special
business privileges.
However, Hartarto warned officials not to violate the existing
law, including international law, with regards to contracts with
third parties.
"Any ongoing projects which are corrupt in their nature or
which were awarded on a collusive or nepotistic basis are
expected to be renegotiated," Hartarto said after meeting with
President B.J. Habibie along with Minister/State Secretary Akbar
Tandjung and head of the government audit agency (BPKP)
Soedarjono.
Habibie vowed to stamp out chronic corruption shortly after
replacing Soeharto on May 21.
However, he pointed out the importance of distinguishing
clearly between the three unhealthy practices to ensure that all
citizens were equal before the law.
Hartarto distributed a circular letter which meticulously
defined each of corruption, collusion and nepotism in a bid to
prevent confusion among government officials.
Hartarto said that corruption, collusion and nepotism were
"projects or business which had been granted certain privileges".
Opposition groups and students said the government should not
waste time defining each of the practices and should get on with
bringing them to an end.
The minister answered these criticisms by saying: "It is very
important to alleviate (corruption) with a clear understanding to
avoid arbitrary actions."
The minister also issued a strong warning to government
officials tempted to grant bank loans, tax or customs
privileges, exclusive rights or offer unnecessary mediation
services. (prb)