Politics of corruption to worsen in 2003: Sjahrir

Politics of corruption to worsen in 2003: Sjahrir

Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

With the 2004 general election looming, noted economist turned
politician, Sjahrir, warned on Friday of worsening corruption and
illegal fund-raising in 2003 as political parties scrambled for
campaign funds and a positive start to campaigning.

"I would like to say that 2003 will be full of political
jockeying," Sjahrir said in a speech presenting the political
position and views of the New Indonesian Alliance Party (PIB),
which he chairs. "It'll be the year of preparation for the 2004
election. Those currently in power will be devoting all their
energy to political maneuvers and pre-campaigns."

Bristling with criticism against the current government, his
speech denounced the ongoing reforms as shallow and meaningless.

It is the economy that will suffer from the various
political deals, Sjahrir later told The Jakarta Post.

A number of political decisions have come under fire this year
already, allegedly favoring the powerful few with money at the
expense of public and national interest.

Analysts pointed to the landslide re-election of Jakarta
Governor Sutiyoso, despite overwhelming unpopularity, the botched
attempt to suspend House of Representatives' Speaker Akbar
Tandjung after he was proven guilty of corruption and open
bribery among legislators.

They criticized the House for becoming a forum for power-
sharing and horse-trading instead of lawmaking. They accused them
of losing touch with very people they are supposed to represent,
and not caring about it. The number of laws passed over the year
fell well below public expectations and even short of
legislators' own promises.

Asked how he expected the situation to be next year, Sjahrir
simply said, "worse".

He predicted the economy would come under pressure while
parties sought funds to finance their campaigns in 2004. At most
risk, he believed, would be the Indonesian Bank Restructuring
Agency (IBRA).

"We know where much of the economic sources are held," he said
referring to IBRA which still owns trillions of rupiah in state
assets it took over from the private sector during the 1997
economic crisis.

University of Indonesia economist M. Ikhsan voiced a similar
concern. Fortunately, most of IBRA's precious assets were sold
out this year, he added.

He said state-owned companies and institutions like IBRA could
turn into cash cows for political interests.

"It's because the seats of their executives or presidents
depend on the state (as the shareholder)," he told reporters.

He said privatization would help reduce political interference
as private companies become less susceptible to state meddling.

Sjahrir added that pre-election maneuvers by political parties
were also evident in the draft law on political parties.

"There is a clear impression that the law will retard the
establishment of new parties," he said.

Established last September, PIB is one of a slew of new
parties led by public figures. Others include the Pioneer Party,
chaired by President Megawati Soekarnoputri's sister Rachmawati
Soekarnoputri, the Bung Karno Nationalist Party by composer-
turned politician Eros Djarot and the Unity of Democracy and
Nationhood Party by political observer Ryaas Rasyid and Andi. M.
Mallarangeng.