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