Govt to hold seminar on corruption next month

JAKARTA (JP): The government is to invite ministers, scholars and critics to speak in a seminar on bureaucracy next month to delve deeply into the problem of corruption.

State Minister of Administrative Reforms T.B. Silalahi said yesterday the government would use the speakers' criticism and suggestions to improve the performance of civil servants to make a clean and efficient government. The seminar will be held from July 7 to July 9.

"The strongest criticism against the bureaucracy is focused on corruption and we want to get input for improvements," Silalahi said after meeting President Soeharto at the Bina Graha presidential office.

Silalahi said the seminar would examine ways to prepare the bureaucracy for free trade and look at civil servants as the "pioneers of development".

"Our development achievements are widely recognized by other countries," the minister quoted Soeharto as saying.

The seminar's speakers will include State Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita; Minister of Defense and Security Gen. (ret) Edi Sudradjat; outspoken economist Sjahrir; the University of Indonesia's Faculty of Economics' dean, Dorojatun Kuntjoro-Jakti; and senior journalist Ninok Leksono.

Indonesia had 4,044,703 civil servants in August 1995, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics.

Silalahi reiterated that it was impossible to eradicate corruption because it was common throughout the world, even in industrialized countries like the United States.

"It is clear that we cannot completely eradicate corruption, we can only minimize it, otherwise heaven would be overcrowded," Silalahi said and burst into laughter.

The World Bank's latest annual report on Indonesia says the civil service should have a salary structure which rewards merit and honesty, credible penalties for malfeasance, policy reforms to reduce the discretionary authority of government officials and greater accountability for poor performance or abuse of power.

"The World Bank's international experience suggests that improved governance will depend on widespread local support and commitment at all levels both in terms of leadership and action," says the report, Indonesia sustaining high growth with equity, which was issued Wednesday.

The issues of rampant corruption and poor public service were commonly raised by campaigners before last month's general election.

The report points out that surveys consistently rank Indonesia low on "bureaucratic delays" and "contract enforceability".

"Such factors increase uncertainty and risk. They favor the well-connected over the efficient. They inflate costs. They engender cynicism and perceptions of unfairness," the report says.

Silalahi dismissed the view that higher salaries would automatically reduce corruption by citing well-paid officials who became corrupt because they wanted more expensive possessions.

On Tuesday, Silalahi said that corruption was by no means monopolized by government officials. "The amount of corruption in the private sector is more horrifying than in government offices."

But he said yesterday that Indonesia's laws and regulations on corruption were most likely the most comprehensive in the world, and that even a mouse could not escape their trap.

Outspoken economist Didik J. Rachbini said in April that corruption in Indonesia had become an acute disease that would take a long time to heal.

"We have had an anti-corruption law since the 1970s. But it is a toothless tiger," he said.

A 1996 survey, by the Hong Kong-based Politics and Economy Risk Consultancy, disclosed that Indonesia ranked third among the 12 most corrupt Asian countries. China was first and Vietnam second.

Silalahi also talked to Soeharto about Harmoko's new position as state minister of special assignments.

Silalahi said that Harmoko, who is expected to relinquish the post before assuming a seat in the House of Representatives next October, would need less staff and facilities than other ministers.

"This position is just temporary but we will evaluate what he needs to carry out his duties," he said. (06)