Indonesia No. 1 corrupt country?
An interesting article on corruption, as seen by foreign magazine Der Spiegel, appeared in the Merdeka daily on July 27, 1995. In my opinion it was a serious report. Whether we agree or disagree with what was reported and the statement that Indonesia is the No. 1 corrupt country in the world, is another matter.
In my opinion, we should pay serious attention to this report and not react as Pak TB Silalahi did. He seemed not to realize the seriousness of corruption in Indonesia, by said, "This is nothing. It is only their opinion. This kind of news will not harm Indonesia, because the foreign press is used to launching such news stories." However, Sabam Sirait, adviser of the Indonesian Democratic Party, gave different comments, which befitted a wise and experienced politician.
On the same day, Media Indonesia published the result of research conducted by the School of Social and Political Science (FISIP) of the University of Indonesia, under Dr. Kastorius Sinaga. This report gave a rather dark picture of the problem of corruption in our country, which leads to a 30 to 45 percent loss of the development funds. The evaporation of development funds is the result of the behavior of officials in the bureaucracy. And, I think, this should be Pak Silalahi's homework.
If we add to this a report on page one of The Jakarta Post, July 28, 1995, RI's economy remains inefficient, then we really must pay serious attention. Not panic, or become afraid, but plan curative actions. According to the governor of the Central Bank, Soedradjad Djiwandono, Indonesia's economy remains inefficient because of the high Incremental Capital Output Ratio (ICOR). These reports, from two bona fide Indonesian institutions, FISIP of UI and the Central Bank, cannot be ignored, just like that.
To get a correct, non political picture of corruption in Indonesia, the Attorney General's office should publish a report on corruption, with data and statistics, while refraining from giving comments. The Attorney General's office is the most qualified institution to issue technical data of corruption, beside, perhaps, the State Audit Board, or the Department of Finance. The other Departments might be inclined to issue reports seen through political eyes.
We can follow another way to get correct statistical data. We can sue Der Spiegel in court for insulting the Republic and force Der Spiegel to disclose their sources. The Senior Minister, the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore have sued the International Herald Tribune and won the case. The IHT has to pay.
The same can be done in Indonesia. This can only happen when we feel strong enough and are sure that what was reported in Der Spiegel was purely fantasy, then we can sue for libel.
I think that the people in general have the right to know the real situation of corruption, because it is the people's money that is being corrupted.
SOEGIH ARTO
Jakarta