Price reduction not enough

Price reduction not enough

From Koran Tempo

The fuel and utility price hikes have triggered nationwide
protests from different sectors in society, demanding the
lowering of these prices and also the replacement of the national
leaders. Clearly, the reduction of fuel and utility prices alone
was not enough.

This issue should be settled by an integrated package of
economic and political reforms, particularly in terms of the
commitment to and a program for corruption elimination.
Corruption should be seen as the culprit, which forces the
government to demand sacrifices of the people through various
price hikes to cover the budget deficit.

Meanwhile, the government has never seriously shown the
political will to eradicate corruption, collusion and nepotism
(KKN) and expose corruptors. In fact, price reductions or price
suspension of price increases will not solve the problem without
an open and effective anticorruption drive.

President Megawati should at the same time reshuffle her
Cabinet, especially the economic ministers who have failed to put
the economy in order. Besides, the judiciary should be reformed
by replacing the attorney general, who not only has failed in law
enforcement against corruptors but is himself also allegedly
involved in KKN.

Actions should also be taken against several ex-generals
involved in human rights violations, opportunist legislators and
politicians, former New Order bureaucrats, oppressive employers
and disguised corruptors, who are adapting themselves to current
circumstances as reformers to wash their hands of their past
sins.

HENDARDI, Chairman of PBHI, Jakarta