Rooting out corruption

The first of many, or just one of the few. That is the question on many lips after the conviction of Abdullah Puteh on corruption charges.

The 10-year sentence imposed on the suspended Aceh governor -- found guilty for the illegal mark-up of a helicopter purchase -- is a tribute to this nation's anticorruption drive and a shot in the arm for a government eager to back up its campaign promise of zero tolerance for corruption with concrete action.

But we have been in this situation before -- high profile case, big headlines, severe punishment, reprieve and back to business as usual.

Puteh's conviction, irrespective of whether the verdict is overturned on appeal, represents a positive first step for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). It serves as a test case of the KPK's ability to investigate and build a case for prosecutors to take to the Anticorruption Court against a senior and powerful local official.

It attaches credence to both novel institutions -- the KPK and the Anticorruption Court -- as jointly forming the vanguard against the pillaging of state resources.

The KPK is investigating other cases that will likely be taken to court in the near future. The outcomes of these cases will either solidify or negate the perception of the KPK as being able to bring those who engage in corruption to account.

High profile cases such as Puteh's and the others being investigated by the KPK by themselves will do little to prevent malfeasance in the future. However, they constitute an essential factor in the success of any system that is put in place to deter corruption.

The investigation and conviction of senior officials will do wonders in shaping moral standards. In a hierarchical society, such as Indonesia's, where the voice of the public is only now beginning to be taken into account, norms and values are defined by those at the apex of the societal structure. If the public perceives their leaders as being able to get away with "murder", than the only logical conclusion is that such behavior is acceptable.

The conviction of people like Puteh also empowers the general public. It ends the cycle of impunity often attached to individuals of rank and wealth.

Furthermore, this latest case helps prove that Indonesia now truly has an independent mechanism -- free from political influence and executive intervention -- to deal with corruption.

The KPK and Anticorruption Court will become, we hope, the new "untouchables", relentlessly pursuing those who would sacrifice the public weal to their personal greed.

With such a good start, it is now important for the public to get involved. To assist in the disclosure of information and the maintenance of the KPK's moral parameters so as to ensure that its members do not succumb to the same temptations as those whom it is investigating.

It is important to also note that one solitary case will not be sufficient. Honesty is a state of mind, not a single, defining action. More Putehs need to sit in the dock, and several guilty verdicts will have to be handed down before this nation can even begin to claim that it is on the way to eradicating corruption.

"Anticorruption" is as overused a word as reform. Everyone of our last four presidents -- Soeharto, B.J. Habibie, Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati Soekarnoputri -- waxed lyrically about eradicating corruption and launched high profile anticorruption campaigns. All of which were to no avail. Not one of these even began to correct the international perception of Indonesia as being one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

Worst of all, not a few of these four presidents left office under a cloud of suspicion of having facilitated, if not directly participated in, the misappropriation of state funds.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has made corruption eradication a key part of his election platform. He has repeatedly declared, both at home and abroad, his stance of zero tolerance for corruption and that no one will be immune to prosecution.

Puteh's conviction represents too small a step to be taken as proof positive that the President's promises are more than mere rhetoric. We need more proof, visible action and tangible policies before we can say that we are now finally weeding out the corruptors and doing what's right for the nation.