Susilo needs to act fast

President-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono described in his statement on Oct. 9, the program for his first 100 days in power, and vowed to lead the battle against corruption himself (The Jakarta Post, Oct. 10).

This is very interesting, as this country is ranked as the sixth most corrupt country in the world, which Susilo is well aware of.

What we have seen so far is low-level corruption cases and other petty criminal acts brought to court. These facts only justify what Kahlil Gibran (a Lebanese poet 1883-1931) said, that legal networks are utilized only to arrest petty criminals.

If Susilo really wants to be successful, he needs to learn from China in declaring his battle against corruption. At the start of his campaign, Prime Minister Zhu Rongji, in his 1998 political speech, asked his law-enforcement officials to prepare 100 coffins for corruptors. One was for himself, should he be found guilty of corruption.

We wonder what Susilo will do to mark the start of his campaign against corruption. If he is committed to his promises, the lack of seriousness of law-enforcement agencies, such as police, prosecutors and judges, could hold him back. So he needs to appoint a dedicated, firm, and brave National Police chief, attorney general and honest judges.

The findings of the Supreme Audit Agency -- which have not been used so far -- are supposed to be used for investigative purposes, which would lead to prosecution, and later, conviction. This agency, as most people know, has uncovered staggering irregularities in state budgets, which urgently need to be followed up on. So the police and prosecutors should be proactive, and in this way, Susilo, as the head of the corruption eradication campaign, must act.

The campaign must gain momentum immediately, so that his first 100 days in office are fruitful, and his legitimacy -- being the directly-elected president -- is strengthened.

M. RUSDI Jakarta