SBY pleads for more time for graft busting

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.