Need for new agency on corruption downplayed
JAKARTA (JP): Setting up an independent agency to fight corruption here could do more harm than good, a legal expert said here over the weekend.
Rector of Semarang's Diponegoro University and member of the National Commission on Human Rights, Muladi, said: "Such an agency would not solve the corruption problem here."
"It would only create new questions that could harm Indonesia's image in the international forum," he was quoted by Antara as saying Saturday.
Indonesia would be better off maximizing the efficiency of existing government bodies thereby indirectly eradicating corruption, he said.
Both corruption and poor service in government offices were hot issues during the May election campaign period earlier this year, and the dominant Golkar pledged as part of its campaign platform that it would do everything it could to eradicate corruption if it won.
"Corruption can be eradicated only when the government uses strong political will," said Muladi.
State Minister of Administrative Reforms T.B. Silalahi is expected to open today a three-day seminar on corruption in the bureaucracy.
Silalahi earlier said the government would use criticism and recommendations offered by speakers at the seminar to improve civil servants' performances and achieve clean and efficient government.
Speakers will include cabinet ministers, outspoken economists Sjahrir and Dorojatun Kuntjoro-Jakti and senior journalist Ninok Leksono.
Analysts are skeptical about government campaigns against corruption saying that it is now an acute disease.
Economist Didik J. Rachbini said: "We have had an anti corruption law since the 1970s. But it is no more than a toothless tiger."
The Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) report to the House of Representatives last month says financial losses amounting to hundreds of billions of rupiah were caused by government overspending, overpriced projects, unpaid taxes and bad loans at state-owned banks during the 1995/1996 fiscal year.
The report says that ministries, state-owned companies and state banks lost Rp 210.41 billion of state budget allocated funds and local governments lost over Rp 38.24 billion.
It says few government offices are free from irregularities, including the ministry of religious affairs.
"Financial losses and inefficiencies resulting in losses, occurred at the ministries of agriculture, public works, transmigration, health, home affairs, education and culture, tourism, post and telecommunications, and religious affairs," it said.
The World Bank in its latest report on Indonesia, issued last month, said that improved governance would depend on widespread local support and commitment at all levels in terms of leadership and action.
Government officials were angered with a 1996 survey by the Hong Kong-based Politics and Economy Risk Consultancy which said Indonesia ranked third in its list of the 12 most corrupt Asian Countries. China was first and Vietnam second.
Some officials said the conclusion was baseless. (06)