Hero or devil?

Hero or devil?

From Bisnis Indonesia

The Chinese government recently passed the death sentence on state officials proven guilty of corruption.

Here in Indonesia, efforts to eradicate corruption are just bluff and empty promises. Corruptors are simply released and have virtually never been properly brought to court. Some recipients of huge, unknown grants are still at large.

During her visit to the United States, President Megawati vowed that she would totally eradicate corruption, collusion and nepotism, although she admitted that this was easier said than done.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has said Indonesia's law enforcement process is not sound. At present, he said, there is confusion over the implementation of Law No.3/1971 and Law No.21/1999, both relating to corruption issues, which means that corruptors can escape easily.

Can corruptors play fines without anybody's secret assistance? Some lawyers acting for a defendant tried at court for protesting against fuel prices recently were not only physically hit but were also dubbed traitors of the state. Strangely, lawyers defending corruptors have never experienced this.

In this context, the government must issue a law determining when a corruptor will be allowed to hire expensive lawyers and when a government-appointed lawyer will be enough for him, as is the case in minor offenses.

Otherwise, a defendant's lawyer can exploit legal loopholes and can easily defend his wealthy client by bending the law to the client's benefit.

TAUFIK KARMADI

Jakarta