Reacting against allegations

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