How hard is it to crush corruption?

There is an increasing trend to expose corruption. In some cases, two opposing parties will even expose each other's alleged past corruption. Unfortunately, before either is arrested, there are always denials in the media by lawyers who say that the case has been "politicized".

It seems that this old-style response is effective enough to foil the effort of law enforcers in eradicating corruption. It is therefore appropriate that this country ranks among the top 10 for most corrupt countries in the world.

It is often the case that despite clear and obvious facts, a legal process will be stopped on the grounds that more evidence is needed or because some other procedures will be required. Finally, the whole thing culminates in a statement that the case has been politicized, the common reason given during the New Order. Under the present government, however, what is readily apparent is only a great enthusiasm to eradicate corruption without, unfortunately, any serious intention to realize the goal.

Thus, things are practically the same as they were during the New Order era. With respect to all cases of huge corruption, the pretext for the failure to resolve them are still the same, namely that the cases are still being processed, or that more evidence is being collected, or that they are being examined, or, finally, the cases have been politicized.

In view of the fact that the eradication of corruption in Indonesia is a herculean task, a popular saying is indeed correct that the small ones will be crushed but the big ones will be kept safe. In this regard it is also necessary to observe what the fighters against corruption are fond of saying: To see corruption in Indonesia is sickening because apart from the fact that it can only annoy and exasperate you, you also cannot make head or tail of it. A shame indeed.

SHINTA

Banyumas, Central Java