Public told to be wary of corruption survey

JAKARTA (JP): The government has warned the public to be wary of a survey by a foreign organization which lists Indonesia as one of the three most corrupt countries in Asia.

Speaking yesterday on the study by the Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy Ltd. (PERC) which was released last week, State Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said he did not know what criteria were used in the survey.

According to the annual survey of 12 countries by PERC, China, Vietnam and Indonesia topped the list of the most corrupt countries in the region.

"We should not think of ourselves as a powerless nation and lose self confidence. We should also not feel that we are a corrupt nation," Moerdiono said after accompanying President Soeharto in a meeting with Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma.

Abuse of power

He said that corruption and abuse of power still exist but the government is determined to fight them. Citing an example of the administration's seriousness in this area, the minister pointed to the fact that Vice President Try Sutrisno is in charge of supervision and has conducted regular meetings on the problem.

Try has also introduced a special post office box, Tromol Pos 5000, for the public who want to report corruption cases they find in the bureaucracy.

In addition, the government has also received reports from the government audit agency, the attorney general's office, and the Ministry of Administrative Reforms, he said.

"If corruption is that bad would it have been possible for us to reach steady growth for such a long period of time? If its true corruption is that bad, would it have been possible to control inflation?" Moerdiono asked.

"If corruption is that bad, would it have been possible for us to lower the poverty level so sharply? And would it have been possible for us to undertake social development like the education program?" he further queried.

"In the health sector, our progress is also incredible," he added.

He added that the most important thing for Indonesia is to use the survey as an input to improve the conditions of the people. (31)

Photo -- Page 2

Ukraine -- Page 4