Social control needed to reduce corruption

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has been categorized as a country with a high level of corruption. The corrupt activities include accepting bribes, receiving commissions on the purchase or sale of state commodities, and the mark up of the purchase of goods for the state.

Some experts say that corrupt activities stem from low salaries, dishonesty among government officials and the lack of transparency in the management of public finances. Others say that while anticorruption laws and regulations are complete, the will to eradicate corruption is lacking. They have proposed several solutions to the problem, such as increasing government officials' salaries, transparency and accountability in handling public affairs matters, including a recommendation to declare government officials' wealth.

But I fear these measures are impracticable and that corruption will continue. For example, how should the adherence to regulations and procedures be enforced? Internal control known as waskat has been implemented in each government office but its results are disappointing because there are always abuses of authority.

Will a salary increase stop corruption? Perhaps, but amid the prevailing consumerism and loose financial control, an increase will not be of much use. How can transparency be enforced in the management of public finances? If there is no obligation and no tough sanction, it will remain a recommendation. What method should be applied to ensure the willingness of government officials to declare their wealth? If there are no laws on government officials' obligation to declare their wealth, this recommendation will also not be followed.

The solutions mentioned above do not touch on the real problem. In my opinion, corruption cannot be eradicated if people are not able to exercise social control on the bureaucracy, including the government and the private sector. Corruption by bureaucracy will occur if it is beyond people's control. A bureaucracy that is immune from social or public control tends to abuse its authority and avoids accountability. In other words, corruption can be reduced (not eliminated) if social control functions properly.

So what should be done to make social control effective? First, a conducive climate should be created giving people the opportunity to contribute actively and positively to society. On one hand, the people should not be apathetic in viewing matters of the state because apathy manifests indifference and opens the door to the possibility of power abuse. On the other hand, participation must be constantly guarded so that it doesn't become destructive. This will hamper efforts to maintain stability and order.

The channels for participation must be opened through the media, political parties, especially the House of Representatives and its branches in the provinces. The House must be given the opportunity to convey the people's aspirations, and power abuse by the bureaucracy should be reported.

It's time the House had the opportunity to exercise its proper function and role as an institution representing the people. The House should exercise its rights (of initiative, budget, etc.) so that the people are in a position to control the bureaucracy. Only by giving the people a chance to participate will they have a chance to penetrate the immunity of the bureaucracy.

The writer is a political analyst from the University of Indonesia, Jakarta.

Editorial -- Page 4