Fri, 15 Apr 2005

'I have lost trust in graft fighters'

Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators have arrested General Elections Commission (KPU) member Mulyana W. Kusumah, who they claim tried to bribe an official responsible for the auditing of KPU funds. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their opinions about the fight against corruption.

Melvi, 27, is a secretary for a media company. She lives with her family in Depok:

These series of arrests and prosecutions against corrupt people makes me believe that we just can't trust anyone any more.

Even those who have been very critical of the government may have been involved in graft. This means activists could also be "dirty" (involved in corruption).

The President's agenda in fighting corruption has actually caused some improvements, but I'm afraid that his subordinates are not "corruption-free". He should not trust any of them.

I think it's time to give stern penalties for white collar criminals, such as death penalty in China, no matter how small the amount of money that has been embezzled.

Marco, 22, studies at the School of History at the University of Indonesia. He lives with his parents in Tebet, South Jakarta:

The strategy of eradicating corruption by starting to arrest top officials such as governors, mayors, or prominent public figures is the right one.

The government is a big improvement over the previous one, who only bought time for big names so they could escape justice after their crimes had been exposed.

KPK has done well by arresting prominent people; this is a good thing.

However, I don't want to give too much credit or too many compliments to anyone yet, as there still no proof that they will be convicted.

--The Jakarta Post