Sophisticated corruptors

Although Indonesia is often sarcastically said to be the nation that is most averse to using its brains, where corruption is concerned it seems to be the most brilliant -- so brilliant that it is difficult to detect acts of corruption or take them to the courts. Various managerial systems are constructed as if to open the door to corruption. And this system, that was built during the New Order administration, is partly still in place.

It is therefore not surprising to hear that people have become used to the phenomenon and are no longer shocked to learn of new cases of corruption while old cases remain difficult to resolve through the courts. What makes it all so frightening is that if everyone becomes used to it, or even proud of it, whoever is in power will also tend to be corrupt. And anyone who refuses to take part is considered weird.

If this happens, the problem will be very serious indeed and our dream of establishing good and clean governance will become very difficult to realize. Merely initiating reform -- or worse, merely replacing the ones in power -- will not solve the problem. Perhaps what this nation needs is a revolution in system building, a revolution of values, a revolution aimed at building a political culture that is free of corruption, collusion and nepotism -- free from the greedy will to enrich oneself.

-- Republika, Jakarta