NU wants death sentences for convicted corrupt officials

Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Corruption, bribery, money politics and state debt were among the nation's most crucial problems that were rigorously discussed during Nahdlatul Ulama's (NU) national conference, which closed on Sunday.

The nation's largest Muslim organization recommended that convicted corrupt officials be given the death sentence in an effort to fight against such acts that took their toll on many people's lives by causing great poverty and misery.

Corruption is not specifically mentioned in Islamic sharia law, but NU ulemas said it could be categorized as serious treason against people or simply theft, both of which are haram or prohibited under sharia.

Corruption can even be categorized as a "war against God and humanity," they added.

"That's why corruptors must be given a very heavy sentence," said M. Subadar, a senior cleric who chaired an NU commission dealing with corruption and other crucial problems during the three-day conference.

The ulemas said a move by corrupt officials to pay back their ill-gotten money to the state should not reduce the sentence, as they had still violated God's law and must be punished. By returning money to the people, they would merely be redressing the imperfect laws of humankind, but even that should still be necessary.

They added that Muslims were not allowed not to pray for corruptors who died before paying back their dirty money, the clerics added.

Corruption has become an epidemic disease in the predominantly Muslim country of some 210 million people. Indonesia consistently ranks as one of the world's most corrupt countries. Nevertheless, very few corruptors have been sent to prison.

Money politics and "gifts" for state officials or others are also haram because such acts could change or influence a decision made fairly and objectively, the Muslim clerics said.

They said that money politics, or vote buying, was essentially a bribe, and that those who paid, received or facilitated a bribe were all condemned by Islam.

Similarly, Islamic law also prohibits fees often received or charged by officials in the normal course of their duties. "Such fees must be returned back to the state or companies where they work," Subadar said.

The 40 million member NU also recommended that the government find ways to recoup corrupted foreign money.

The government must use proper legal means to take back the money from filthy rich state officials and their cronies, and use that to pay back the country's foreign debt.

NU clerics added that the country may not use state funds, which are allocated to improve people's welfare, and therefore belong to the people, to pay back foreign loans, most of which were siphoned off by state officials.

Any state officials who has abused foreign loans must be held accountable for the mounting foreign debt.

NU clerics also highlighted recent cases of absenteeism that often take place in state agencies and legislative bodies with truant officials and legislators continuing to receive full salaries.

Masdar Farid Mas'udi, a member of NU's syuriah (law-making body), said a deliberate absenteeism without a "proper reason" is not justifiable under Islamic law as it was a breach of people's mandate and discipline.