Reacting against allegations

Information provided by George Yunus Aditjondro, revealing data about corruption among officials, has left us dumbfounded. Aditjondro acquired much data (on the subject) after being forced to leave Indonesia. In other countries, it seems, access to such data is much more easy.

Now, we are once again dumbfounded by similar disclosures, made by someone who came to visit this country from abroad. Jeffrey Winters has hurt the feelings of the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita, and the Indonesian government.

Speaking at a seminar in Jakarta a while ago, Winters revealed his suspicions of Ginandjar, particularly in connection with PT Freeport. Winters actually did not reveal anything new. All he disclosed was allusions made by Econit, published several years ago.

It is true that we must uphold the principle of the presumption of innocence. However, any reactions that we give against, or comments that we make on suspected acts of corruption, collusion and nepotism must not be allowed to stop the process of our searching for the truth. The principles of democracy and transparency dictate a respect for probing questions. Our reactions must not be allowed to end such questioning.

The social psychology of our community at present is such that anything that is officially denied is regarded as true. Rumors are believed more than official government explanations. In such a psychological climate, excessively severe reactions tend to be harmful because they would only serve to support the allegation.

What is very much needed at this moment is not rhetoric proficiency in denying allegations of corruption, collusion and nepotism, but the ability to proof that we are clean.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta