Kalla blames corruption for poverty

Kalla blames corruption for poverty

JAKARTA: Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare Jusuf Kalla
said on Saturday corruption had robbed Indonesia of its
prosperity.

Corruption, he said, had earned the country the status as one
of the poorest in Asia.

"In the 1950s, Indonesia was as prosperous as other Asian
countries such as Japan and South Korea. But today, Indonesia
lags far behind those countries," he said.

Kalla compared Indonesia's current per capita income of
US$1,000 with Japan's $35,000, South Korea's $10,000 and
Malaysia's $3,500.

"Our country started its development at almost the same time
as them. But, we are still lagging behind. There is something
wrong with us," he said.

"Corruption has destroyed the nation's mental fiber as well as
the country's economic pillars."

Kalla is contesting the convention held by Golkar Party to
select its presidential candidate next year. -- Antara