Govt to hold seminar on corruption next month

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)