SBY pleads for more time for graft busting

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono asked for time on Tuesday to wipe out corruption and bring about change in the country.

Addressing participants of the Industrial Estate Management Congress here on Tuesday, Susilo said his administration received a direct mandate from the people through a democratic election.

"My administration needs time to work and really bring change to the country, and for the first time we have a government that received a mandate directly from the people," Susilo said.

Susilo, who was elected in the country's first ever direct presidential election, has promised to introduce tough measures against corruption and collusion.

The Berlin-based Transparency International consistently lists Indonesia among the world's most corrupt countries. Some multinational companies have reportedly relocated their operations out of the country due to corruption.

While Susilo has vowed to lead the country's anticorruption drive personally, people are still waiting to see big-time corruptors put behind bars.

Nangroe Aceh Darussalam Governor Abdullah Puteh has been detained for an alleged markup in the purchase of a Russian-made helicopter by the Aceh administration in 2001, but skeptics still doubt he will see any jail time.

"I am very much aware that many people say that I have done nothing more than make statements. Please, give me more time to fulfill my promises to the country," Susilo said.

The President, who took the oath of office on Oct. 20, has over the past several weeks repeatedly said he is aware that many people doubt his administration will be able to live up to ambitious promises it made for its first 100 days in power.

"Everything will run well if we have a stable and sustainable government, which we already have since the peaceful and democratic election. That is why my administration deserves support from the people," the President said.

Analysts have said there is nothing new in the President's economic, political and legal programs.

They also say Susilo has not presented a clear plan of action to usher in the changes he promised during the election campaign.

Susilo said political stability was essential for his administration to develop the country.

He further said there were two things that brought the county down to its current condition: government mismanagement and rampant corruption.

"I ask industrialists to support me in fighting corruption. We have to improve the investment climate in the country," Susilo said.