No KKN in the Cabinet

No KKN in the Cabinet

From Suara Karya

A report in Rakyat Merdeka daily of Nov. 14, 1999, is entitled Beware, don't let the palace be stained by those addicted to corruption, collusion and nepotism: Dispel the lackeys of B.J. Habibie!.

In my opinion the statement in the title is logical and must always be borne in mind. No ministers should forget that in this present reform era there is a strong demand that the National Unity Cabinet be free from corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN). It will be better and more honorable for ministers who are involved in such KKN practices to resign. However, the government and the people should not hastily pass judgment. A careful and thorough investigation will be needed to ensure that the accusation will come to the right place, inasmuch as there is no place in the Cabinet under Abdurrahman Wahid, better known as Gus Dur, and Megawati, for ministers who are fond of spending people's money for their personal interest. The government would like to establish clean and legitimate governance and would also like to stay away from those who usually bring about sufferings for the people, and extort them, by making use of any opportunities while the people are deep in trouble.

The New Order era, when money could be freely collected to enrich oneself, is now over. The country is in a critical condition and needs honest and fair people to get this country and people out of the ongoing crisis. Unless concrete action is taken to put a stop to the crisis, people's confidence in the new government will come to zero. Ministers in the present Cabinet should learn to feel ashamed of KKN.

As a community member I agree to the requirement that a minister involved in KKN should give up his position. Of course, the minister in question must be legally processed and legal sanctions must be exacted without discrimination upon all involved in KKN. May the National Unity Cabinet be able to accommodate the aspirations of the entire Indonesian people for a government free from KKN.

BA NUR AHMAD

Bekasi, West Java