Indonesia's image

Indonesia's image

Indonesia has again become the center of international attention over money laundering and human rights.

According to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which is sponsored by the G-7, Indonesia is still on the blacklist over money laundering. Such dirty money, which comes from activities that are harmful to the public, will bring about catastrophe. There is the possibility that laundered money is used for terrorist-related activities.

Meanwhile, reports issued by the U.S. say that rights violations are still rampant in Indonesia's conflict areas.

The U.S. mentioned the August 2002 violence in Timika, Papua, where two Americans were killed and rights violations in restive Aceh as part of the international world's concern.

Indonesia's failure to escape these black lists reflects its own weaknesses in settling strategic and urgent problems.

Corruption is still prevalent, while the law has failed to function properly in defending justice, leaving the economic crises still unresolved.

As long as the government fails to repair the economy and lets corruption continue, Indonesia's image in the international world will continue to deteriorate. -- Kompas, Jakarta