Illegal 'fees' abound in govt departments

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has pledged to combat corruption. Six months into his presidency, the public has yet to see changes in the way most government offices operate. This story examines Susilo's anticorruption program and why it isn't working.

Six months after the inauguration of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as the country's first directly elected president, most people's expectations of a corruption-free public service have begun to fade.

The President has pledged to combat corruption in government in speeches here and abroad. However, the public has yet to see any changes.

Subdistrict and immigration offices, police stations and even regional religious affairs agencies nationwide remain places where public officials extort money from consumers in the form of illegal fees.

Those renewing their identification cards at subdistrict offices still have to pay amounts five times higher than the official rate of Rp 10,000 (some US$1.2).

"Nothing has changed as far as corruption in the public service is concerned. Just last week I had to pay about Rp 50,000 for the renewal of my ID card," said Surya, a young executive living in Limo, Depok.

"I wonder how the new government hopes to combat high-level graft if it cannot even crack down on petty corruption at the subdistrict level," he said.

Immigration offices around the country are other examples of public institutions riddled with graft. Most people have to pay up to Rp 1 million for a new regular 48-page passport, compared with the official rate of only Rp 255,000.

Immigration officials also seek illegal fees from foreigners, further hurting the nation's international image.

Thankfully, it is not only the national pride that is at stake.

Political analysts say Susilo's pledges to combat corruption during his election campaign greatly contributed to his win in an electorate tired of the inaction of the Megawati Soekarnoputri government under which graft blossomed.

Unlike the mostly mute Megawati, Susilo promised to personally lead the anticorruption campaign. And as president, Susilo has reiterated his pledges, noting however that he needed more time to realize his dream of a graft-free public service.

"We have been down (the anticorruption) road time and again. However, until we see some real results, we simply won't be impressed by mere words," Transparency International Indonesia secretary-general Emmy Hafild says.

Emmy said Susilo's failure to combat corruption at the public service level stemmed from an inability to delegate. Susilo simply had too much on his plate to be spearheading efforts alone, she said.

"There is no special official who is the eyes and ears of the President in reporting the developments of the anticorruption drive. There is just no coordination, and this means the President is likely to be unable to spot the real problems," Emmy said.

Another obstacle faced by Susilo was the high resistance from the bureaucracy, with officials using the money gained in corruption to supplement their often meager incomes.

A mid-ranking immigration official handling the processing of passports is only paid about Rp 850,000 per month. In comparison, some babysitters in the capital can earn up to Rp 1 million a month.

An immigration official, who asked to remain anonymous, warned many government officials would get angry or even go on strike if the government took action to stop them from charging illegal fees.

"We basically agree (about ending) the illegal fees. However, our incomes should also be raised to cope with the current cost of living," said the official, who has been working at the office for some 10 years.

However, not all public servants blamed their small wages for graft.

A police sergeant stationed at the Ministry of Finance said he was fed up with the corruption of senior officers, who used most of the money to enrich themselves rather than to improve the welfare of lower ranking officers, he said.