SBY prods law enforcers to work harder to curb graft
SBY prods law enforcers to work harder to curb graft
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has urged law enforcers to
work harder to root out corruption, amid criticism from some
quarters about his administration's perceived lack of action on
graft during his first 100 days in office.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Cabinet Secretary Sudi
Silalahi quoted the President as saying that although recent
investigations into high profile cases had "drastically" reduced
the number of corruption cases, he was "not satisfied", and had
ordered law enforcers to improve their performance and speed up
the investigation of graft cases.
"We're on the right track," Sudi said during a press
conference after a meeting between the President, Attorney
General Abdul Rachman Saleh, National Police chief Gen. Da'i
Bachtiar, and Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman
Taufiqurrahman Ruki at the presidential office.
Indonesia has been rated as one of the most corrupt country in
the world, a situation that has given rise to various chronic
problems and badly stunted economic growth.
Susilo has said that curbing corruption would be among the top
priorities of his government. Against a backdrop of high public
expectations, a number of analysts have said that the Susilo
administration had failed to deliver on its promised war on
corruption during its first 100 days in office, which come to an
end on Friday.
But Sudi said that the public should also acknowledge the
progress made by law enforcers, and be realistic and accept that
the eradication of corruption was not something that could be
accomplished overnight.
"The work carried out by the attorney general, KPK and the
National Police chief has not been in vain. We should appreciate
what our law enforcers have done. Don't simply dismiss it. While
we may not be satisfied, we should thank God for what has been
achieved," he said.
Attorney General Abdul Rachman said he had informed the
President that his office had finished investigating 124
corruption cases involving local government officials, all of
which were now ready to be submitted to the courts.
Meanwhile, Da'i highlighted a series of corruption cases that
had been investigated by the police, including a high profile
banking fraud case involving Bank Negara Indonesia; a sugar scam
involving Nurdin Halid, a politician linked to the Golkar Party;
alleged corruption in the Karaha Bodas power project; and alleged
corruption by suspended Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh.
He also said that his subordinates were ready to submit the
case files on two mayors and 15 regents suspected of corruption
in different parts of the country.