'Many law enforcers are corrupt'

'Many law enforcers are corrupt'

The arrest of General Elections Commission (KPU) member Mulyana W. Kusumah for alleged bribery has made headlines. The Jakarta Post interviewed residents to learn whether they perceived the move as a sign that law enforcers were taking the fight against corruption seriously.

Monika Budirahayu, 25, is a business analyst with an IT company on Jl. Jend. Sudirman, South Jakarta. She lives in Kebayoran Baru, also in South Jakarta.

As there are hundreds of thousands of corruptors in this country, the arrest of a corruption suspect does not necessarily show that law enforcers are serious about eradicating corruption. Usually, after the arrests suspects are let go without punishment. Not to mention the fact that many law enforcers are corrupt individuals as well.

I will not believe that corruption is being taken seriously or being eradicated, until I see an improvement in the economy in this country. People say that Indonesia is a rich country but corruptors make the people poor.

Michael Laukaban, 25, is a marketing staff with a private bank in West Jakarta. He lives in Pantai Indah Kapuk housing estate, North Jakarta.

I think we have to wait longer before we can judge whether the arrest of Mulyana indicates that law enforcers are honest in fighting corruption. But, I guess it is the first step. At least they are doing something about it now, even though it is only an arrest.

The fact that the media can now broadcast and expose more corruptors is a good sign.

I hope that in three years' time, more will be arrested and punished for what they have done. I will only believe that corruption eradication is being taken seriously in this country when more corrupters are thrown into jail.