Punish big corruptors

Punish big corruptors

From Rakyat Merdeka

The current state of our country is attributable to rampant
corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN), as well as the mega-
debts that are strangling the economy. How can the country remain
unaffected if some Rp 150 trillion is now in the hands of dirty
business magnates and some Rp 500 trillion in debts has yet to be
repaid? The total amount reaches about Rp 650 trillion, a figure
nearly as large as the government's foreign debts. These mega-
debts have been incurred by only 1,667 people but require all 220
million Indonesians to bear the brunt.

These dirty mega-debtors can live peacefully in this beloved
country, as if they had established a kingdom of thieves
comprising bad business magnates and corruptors. Will the
country's people become prosperous if many state officials commit
KKN? Will the country become secure and peaceful? Will corrupt
officials think about the fate of the common people? And will the
country's legal system work if many state officials are involved
in KKN?

Let's compare our corruptors with corruptors abroad. In
Taiwan, an admiral has been sentenced to death. In China, death
sentences have been handed to Beijing's mayor and dozens of
corrupt Chinese officials. In South Korea, university students,
workers and laymen chased out a corruptor. In Singapore, a
corrupt minister committed suicide because his corruption case,
involving only a small amount of money, was made public. In
Malaysia, a corrupt minister was put behind bars.

What about Indonesia? Small-time thieves are afraid of being
arrested but members of "The King of Thieves" syndicate can still
laugh heartily at the court of law. Some have even fled abroad,
on the grounds of seeking medical treatment.

Therefore, it is appropriate if, considering their broad
outlook in social, political and economics spheres, university
students, lecturers and reporters unite to support and encourage
President Megawati Soekarnoputri to follow up Kwik Kian Gie's
suggestion that the government does not need to show leniency to
corrupt tycoons. The government should not extend the period set
for these tycoons to repay their debts by even one month.
Otherwise, these bad tycoons will flee abroad again.

TAN IE TIE

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